- Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed significant doubt over Donald Trump's peace plan for Gaza, stating that Israel has not agreed to the proposed terms for disarming Hamas and will not withdraw from the Palestinian enclave until the group is completely disarmed.
- This statement directly contradicts Trump's earlier announcement that Israel was 'very happy' with a deal he presented as a 'major milestone,' which he suggested would involve Hamas disarming and Israel withdrawing from Gaza in phases.
- Netanyahu clarified that the draft peace proposal from the 'Board of Peace' was not Israel's and that they had submitted their comments, reiterating that Israeli forces would not retreat from their current lines in Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed.
- Hamas, while rejecting the term 'disarmament,' has indicated a willingness to hand over its weapons for storage under a US-backed Palestinian administration, but only after Israel ceases operations and withdraws its forces in line with last year's ceasefire.
- Other Israeli officials, including energy minister Eli Cohen and defence minister Israel Katz, have echoed Netanyahu's stance that Israeli troops will not move before Hamas disarms, with Netanyahu facing an election in October where he relies on right-wing support apprehensive about peace with Hamas.
IN FULL
