Benjamin Netanyahu signals skepticism toward the Trump administration's Hamas disarmament deal as Israel maintains its current military positions.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed public skepticism regarding the disarmament deal for Hamas proposed by the Trump administration. While the agreement calls for Hamas to surrender its weapons in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal from 60% of the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu maintains that Israel will not retreat from its current lines until the militant group is fully disarmed. The administration announced the framework as a potential breakthrough for ending the war, but Netanyahu’s office stated that the version made public does not reflect Israel's position. Israeli officials noted that verifiable demilitarization is an indispensable first step, while Hamas remains conditional on a complete cessation of aggression. The tension between the two leaders has been highlighted by a recent increase in airstrikes, which occurred despite the agreement's call for a halt in attacks. While the administration expressed optimism, Netanyahu faces pressure from far-right allies to reject the plan before the upcoming October elections. For now, the Israeli leader appears to be using a few delaying tactics to avoid a direct confrontation with the administration.