Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, has rejected a U.S. proposal for Hamas to disarm in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the area. U.S. President Donald Trump had previously described the proposal as an important step toward reaching a lasting agreement and ending the conflict in Gaza.
On Sunday, at the start of an Israeli cabinet meeting, Netanyahu announced that Israel would not accept Washington’s proposed 15-point document. He said Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza only after “genuine disarmament, not symbolic disarmament,” describing this as one of Israel’s key conditions.
The Israeli prime minister stressed that Hamas must lay down all of its weapons. Explaining his government’s position, he said the disarmament must include “heavy weapons, lighter weapons and all weapons,” and that only under such circumstances could Israel consider withdrawing its forces from Gaza.
Netanyahu also said that his government was negotiating the matter with U.S. officials. He added that the American side had put forward proposals and ideas, some of which Israel considers acceptable and others unacceptable, and that his government would maintain its position throughout the negotiations.
Washington’s proposed 15-point document for establishing peace in Gaza was drafted by the “Board of Peace” under the leadership of the Donald Trump administration. The plan was presented with the aim of creating conditions for an end to the conflict, the disarmament of Hamas, and the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
So far, U.S. officials have not issued an official response to Netanyahu’s remarks or to the Israeli prime minister’s rejection of the proposal. Disagreements over how Hamas should be disarmed and the timetable for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza could affect the course of negotiations and efforts to reach an agreement on the future of the territory.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
