Middle East: Netanyahu: We have not agreed to the plan for Hamas disarmament

Netanyahu's Public Rejection

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly distanced his government from a recently announced plan by the Peace Council, an initiative founded by former US President Donald Trump, aimed at disarming Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu stated in a video message that Israel had only received a "draft" of the plan and had not agreed to it, instead sending back its own comments. This statement directly contradicts Trump's earlier announcement that the Peace Council had reached an agreement for the "complete disarmament" of Hamas, an assertion that had already been met with skepticism.

This public denial by Netanyahu underscores the deep divisions and complexities surrounding any potential peace initiatives in the region. The Israeli government's immediate rejection of the plan's terms, despite a prior announcement of an agreement, highlights the significant hurdles faced by international mediators attempting to broker a lasting resolution. The discrepancy between Trump's announcement and Netanyahu's clarification suggests either a miscommunication, a premature declaration, or a fundamental disagreement on the proposed framework.

Core Disagreements and Israeli Stance

The primary points of contention revolve around the precise sequence of Hamas's disarmament and the conditions and timeline for the Israeli army's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu firmly reiterated Israel's position, stating that its forces would not retreat from their "current line" until Hamas is fully disarmed. This stance is particularly significant given that the Israeli army has expanded its control over Palestinian territory in Gaza from 53 percent to over 60 percent in recent months. The "Times of Israel" speculated that Netanyahu's remarks imply Israel's unwillingness to even revert to the ceasefire lines previously agreed upon, a step reportedly included in the Peace Council's plan.

Conversely, Hamas has conditioned the surrender of its heavy weapons on the withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza, creating a clear deadlock. This reciprocal dependency means that without a mutually acceptable framework for both disarmament and withdrawal, the plan's implementation remains highly uncertain. Netanyahu's insistence on maintaining Israel's current military posture until complete disarmament reflects a deep-seated security concern, while Hamas's demands highlight its leverage and conditions for any concessions.

Implications for Peace Efforts

Netanyahu's rejection casts a long shadow over the viability of the Peace Council's initiative and broader efforts to de-escalate the conflict. Despite the plan's provision for a cessation of all hostilities, Israel has continued to conduct operations against alleged members of terrorist organizations in the coastal area, even during a ceasefire. Netanyahu affirmed that Israeli soldiers remain instructed to protect themselves and Israeli citizens, indicating a continued proactive security posture.

Following Israel's initial reservations, a meeting took place between Nikolaj Mladenow, High Representative of the Peace Council, and US advisor Aryeh Lightstone with Netanyahu. While a statement after the meeting claimed Israel and the Peace Council had "a common understanding about the desired goals," Netanyahu's subsequent public denial suggests that this understanding did not translate into an agreement on the specific plan. This divergence between private diplomatic assurances and public statements further complicates the path forward, making any immediate breakthrough in disarmament and withdrawal highly improbable and prolonging the uncertainty in the region.