Israel Raises Concerns Over Trump’s Gaza Proposal Despite Hamas Disarmament Pledge
Israeli officials say the publicly released framework does not reflect their position, insisting Hamas must undergo full and verifiable disarmament before any lasting agreement.
Israeli officials respond to the proposed Gaza peace framework amid ongoing negotiations.
JERUSALEM — Gaza Plan negotiations faced fresh uncertainty after Israel said it had conveyed its concerns to the United States over a proposal welcomed by President Donald Trump, despite Hamas announcing it had agreed to a new phase that includes disarmament.
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Israel had shared its comments with US officials, arguing that the version of the framework made public did not accurately represent Israel’s position. The statement came after Trump described Hamas’s reported commitment to surrender its weapons as a “major milestone” toward ending the conflict.
More than 100 words into the latest diplomatic developments, Gaza Plan discussions encountered renewed obstacles as Israeli officials maintained that any agreement must include the complete, verifiable and irreversible disarmament of Hamas. According to the prime minister’s office, Israeli intelligence believes Hamas has continued recruiting fighters and rebuilding its capabilities despite the ceasefire announced by President Trump in October.
Israeli officials argued that a lasting settlement requires Gaza to become a demilitarised and terrorism-free territory, saying any arrangement falling short of full disarmament would leave Hamas capable of posing future security threats.
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An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, also said Israeli forces would not withdraw from areas under their control in Gaza until Hamas’s disarmament had been independently verified.
Meanwhile, Hamas announced that it had agreed to the next phase of negotiations, which includes transferring its weapons to a newly established Palestinian governing committee as part of a broader peace initiative.
Despite the diplomatic progress claimed by both sides, military operations continued. Palestinian authorities reported that Israeli airstrikes on Sunday killed at least 13 people, highlighting the fragile security situation despite ongoing negotiations.
According to Palestinian authorities, more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict escalated following the October 7, 2023 attacks. Israel has not publicly commented on the casualty figures cited by Palestinian officials.
The latest developments underscore the significant gaps that remain between the parties, with the success of any future agreement likely to depend on resolving disputes over security guarantees, governance arrangements and the verification of Hamas’s disarmament.
