Israel to keep troops in Gaza until Hamas disarmed, Netanyahu says

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israeli forces will maintain their positions in the Gaza Strip until the Palestinian group Hamas completely disarms. He explicitly rejected a proposal sent by the Trump administration, stating it was "not our project" and that Israel had submitted its own comments and position.

Netanyahu's firm stance directly challenges a Hamas disarmament deal that U.S. President Donald Trump had previously announced as a potential breakthrough in ending the conflict. The prime minister also demanded that any weapons confiscated from militants be removed from Gaza entirely, rather than being placed within the enclave under the supervision of international peacekeepers or local authorities.

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The Trump administration sent us a draft. We do not agree with it. This is not our project. We sent our comments. This is our position.

The Times of Israel reported that the proposal Netanyahu referenced was not intended for discussion with Israel, as it stemmed from separate negotiations with Hamas. The disarmament offer, however, is seen as a continuation of Trump's 20-point plan for conflict resolution in Gaza, which Israel had accepted the previous autumn. Netanyahu's comments have raised significant questions about the viability of the proposed deal.

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The proposal Netanyahu is talking about should not be a subject of discussion with Israel, as it is the result of separate negotiations with Hamas.