Netanyahu: No Israeli Withdrawal from Gaza Until Hamas Disarmed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Tuesday that Israel will not withdraw from its current positions in Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed. This stance directly challenges a recent deal announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, raising further questions about its viability as a pathway to ending the conflict.

Netanyahu's remarks signal a significant public disagreement with the Trump administration. The proposed agreement stipulated that Hamas would begin disarming, while Israel would halt its military operations and start withdrawing from the approximately 60% of Gaza it currently occupies. This framework was reportedly based on an October ceasefire that led to the release of hostages but has since stalled on other critical fronts.

Facing a challenging reelection campaign in October, Netanyahu reiterated his priority: disarmament must precede any Israeli withdrawal. He asserted that Israeli forces would continue to take necessary actions for self-protection. "The Trump administration sent us a draft. We did not agree. It is not our draft. We sent our comments. ... This is our position," Netanyahu stated in a social media video.

Meanwhile, Gaza grapples with a dire humanitarian crisis. According to the territory's Health Ministry, at least 1,252 people have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect. The ministry, part of the Hamas-led government, reports that women and children constitute the majority of the deceased. Israel maintains its strikes target combatants who pose a threat. The U.S.-backed ceasefire agreement also envisioned an International Stabilization Force and an independent Palestinian administration for governance and reconstruction, elements that remain unrealized as both sides blame each other for truce violations.

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The Trump administration sent us a draft. We did not agree. It is not our draft. We sent our comments. ... This is our position.