Netanyahu Rejects Gaza Withdrawal, Demands Full Disarmament of Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly rejected a recent U.S. proposal to disarm Hamas, issuing a video statement that the Israeli army will not withdraw from its current positions in the Gaza Strip until the group is fully disarmed. In the clip, Netanyahu emphasized that the ceasefire terms announced in October—under which Israel agreed to a temporary halt in hostilities—do not include a guarantee of Hamas’ complete disarmament. He warned that any pull‑back before that condition is met would be premature and could jeopardize Israel’s security.

The statement, reported by France 24 correspondent Noga Tarnopolsky in Jerusalem, follows President Donald Trump’s announcement of a new U.S.‑backed deal aimed at ending the Gaza conflict through a comprehensive dismantling of Hamas’ military infrastructure. Netanyahu’s insistence on a full disarmament clause signals a potential stalemate in negotiations, as the Israeli government remains skeptical of the feasibility and enforceability of such a requirement. Should the U.S. and Hamas proceed with the plan, Israel’s refusal to comply could prolong the ceasefire’s uncertainty and complicate efforts to secure a lasting peace in the region.