Netanyahu says IDF will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas has fully disarmed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that the Israeli military will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is completely disarmed. This stance directly challenges a deal recently put forth by U.S. President Donald Trump, which aimed to end the conflict.

The proposed agreement stipulated that Hamas would begin disarming, and in return, Israel would cease its strikes and withdraw from approximately 60 percent of Gaza it currently occupies. However, Netanyahu's remarks cast doubt on the deal's viability and highlight a rare public disagreement between the Israeli government and the Trump administration.

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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.

Netanyahu stated after meeting with officials from Trump's "Board of Peace" that the U.S.-sent draft was not agreed upon and that Israel had submitted its own comments. He reiterated that Hamas's disarmament must precede any Israeli withdrawal, emphasizing that Israeli forces would continue to take necessary actions to protect themselves, their territory, and their citizens.

The situation remains tense, with both Israel and Hamas accusing each other of violating the truce. Since the ceasefire took effect, Gaza's health ministry reports at least 1,252 people killed, while Israel reports five soldiers killed. Gaza faces widespread devastation, with most of its population displaced and living in dire conditions.

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do whatever is necessary to protect themselves, our territory, and our citizens