Netanyahu Rejects U.S. Proposal, Refuses Gaza Withdrawal Until Hamas Disarms

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel will not withdraw from its current lines in the Gaza Strip until Hamas has been completely disarmed according to Inquirer. Netanyahu made his remarks in a video posted to Facebook reported by Anews, pushing back against a roadmap floated by U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace.

Netanyahu Rejects U.S. Proposal and Pushes Back on Gaza Withdrawal Terms

We will not withdraw from our current positions until Hamas is fully disarmed, Netanyahu stated according to Anews, adding, I remain committed to our security interests. Netanyahu explained that U.S. President Donald Trump and his advisers believe they can secure Hamas’ disarmament and the demilitarization of Gaza, but confirmed that Israel did not approve the draft proposal noted by Ynetnews. They sent us a draft. We did not agree to it. It is not our draft, Netanyahu said, noting that Israel had already submitted its comments according to Ynetnews.

Netanyahu Rejects U.S. Proposal, Refuses Gaza Withdrawal Until Hamas Disarms — Photo: CNN

Differing Stacks on Disarmament Timing and Ceasefire Framework

The broader disagreement centers on whether Israel must begin withdrawing gradually as Hamas gives up portions of its arsenal or whether any pullback should occur only after the group has been fully disarmed reported by Ynetnews. The roadmap announced by the Board of Peace called for Hamas to disarm and for Israel to halt strikes and begin withdrawing stated by Inquirer gradually and in parallel noted by Anews.

The plan involves transferring administration in Gaza to a Palestinian technocratic committee, deploying an international stabilization force, and placing weapons under the authority of the National Committee for Gaza Administration under international supervision according to Anews. However, following meetings between Board of Peace Director-General Nikolay Mladenov and Netanyahu, the Board stated that an Israeli withdrawal beyond the yellow line would take place only after the completion of Hamas’ disarmament, including heavy weapons, light weapons, and tunnels reported by Ynetnews. Hamas previously informed The Associated Press that it agreed to the deal according to AP News, and reaffirmed its commitment to the second phase of the ceasefire process stated by Anews.

International Engagement and Ongoing Casualties on the Ground

The diplomatic friction followed a visit by Mladenov and senior U.S. adviser Aryeh Lightstone to meet with Netanyahu reported by CNN. The Board of Peace described the meeting as constructive and detailed according to CNN, noting that while the goal of full decommissioning of weapons and the transition to civilian government was not in question, the process for implementation was still being worked out stated by CNN. Mladenov had earlier rebuked weekend violence that killed civilians and destroyed medical supplies reported by CNN.

'No Israeli withdrawal from Gaza until Hamas Is Completely Disarmed': Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu

Meanwhile, recovery operations continue in the enclave. First responders recovered the remains of 112 victims from a 2023 strike in Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood according to Inquirer. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 1,252 people have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect, while the offensive since October 2023 has killed more than 73,377 Palestinians stated by Inquirer.