Key Takeaways
- Israel has conveyed concerns to the United States regarding a proposed framework for Hamas disarmament.
- The version of the plan made public does not reflect Israel’s positions, according to Israeli officials.
- Hamas announced it had agreed to hand over weapons to a Palestinian governing committee.
Israel has expressed reservations about a US-backed plan aimed at disarming Hamas in Gaza, stating that the version released publicly does not accurately reflect its stance. This was conveyed through official channels to American counterparts.
Doron Spielman, spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, told AFP: 'The version that has been made public does not reflect Israel’s positions.'
According to Israeli officials, Hamas has continued rearming and recruiting forces since a ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump in October 2023. This has raised concerns among Israeli authorities.
Netanyahu’s spokesman alleged that intelligence reports indicate Hamas is preparing for further attacks similar to the October 7 massacre. He stressed the importance of genuine, verifiable, and irreversible demilitarisation as a prerequisite for any lasting arrangement with Hamas.
The proposed plan released by Trump’s Board of Peace envisions Gaza becoming 'a deradicalised terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbours.' However, this vision is seen in direct contrast to the current reality and Hamas's stated intentions.
An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that Israel would not withdraw forces from the Gaza Strip under the plan without verifying disarmament by Hamas. This stance reflects ongoing tensions between the two parties.
Despite the expressed concerns, Palestinian authorities reported that Israeli attacks following Hamas’s announcement killed at least 13 people in the first 1,000 days of Israel's attacks on Gaza since October 7, 2023.
The conflict continues to claim lives and raise questions about the feasibility and effectiveness of peace initiatives.
'The version that has been made public does not reflect Israel’s positions.'
Doron Spielman, spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office
