Israel has raised concerns with the United States about a proposed disarmament deal with Hamas, casting doubt on an agreement promoted by President Donald Trump. Doron Spielman, spokesperson for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that Israel shared its comments and concerns regarding the framework with American counterparts. The public version of the deal does not align with Israel’s stance, according to Spielman, as reported by NBC News.
The statement from Netanyahu’s office comes after a deadly weekend in the Gaza Strip, where Israeli attacks reportedly killed at least 19 people. The Israeli military claimed that the strikes were aimed at Hamas militants and their infrastructure.
Spielman emphasized the necessity of the “genuine, verifiable, and irreversible demilitarization of Hamas” as a first step for any durable agreement. This includes Hamas relinquishing its weapons. However, Hamas has signaled that disarmament would only proceed if Israel withdraws from Gaza and halts what it views as aggressive actions.
Israeli intelligence suggests that in the past eight months, Hamas has used the ceasefire to enhance its military capabilities by rearming and recruiting more fighters. Spielman referred to the Hamas-led assault on Israel in 2023 as a reference point for the evolving threat.
The White House has not responded to NBC News’ request for a comment on these Israeli concerns. Nevertheless, Trump mentioned an “understanding” with Israel, describing them as content with the disarmament plan.
The announcement of the deal initially kindled cautious optimism for peace progress in the region. Despite this, regional observers remain skeptical about any immediate impact in Gaza, citing significant challenges and a lack of urgency from both Hamas and Israel to formalize the agreement.
Israel continues to conduct military strikes despite the supposed ceasefire. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, 26 people were killed over the weekend with continuous attacks exacerbating the crisis in Gaza. Dr. Muneer al-Bursh, director of the Health Ministry in Gaza, highlighted the immense pressure on hospitals, worsened by a severe lack of medical supplies.