Israel conveys 'comments, concerns' to US on Gaza plan, says version made public does not reflect its position

Israeli officials have expressed concerns to the United States regarding a Gaza plan endorsed by President Donald Trump following Hamas's reported agreement on disarmament, according to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office on Monday. Doron Spielman, a spokesman for the prime minister's office, clarified to AFP that the public version of the plan does not accurately represent Israel's stance.

He alleged that Israeli intelligence had detected Hamas's ongoing rearming and recruitment efforts since a ceasefire declared by Trump in October, which has curbed violence yet Israel has maintained ongoing strikes.

Hamas declared on Friday its endorsement of the subsequent stage of a deal that entails turning over weapons to a budding Palestinian governing committee. Trump hailed this move as a "major milestone" in striving to conclude the destructive war and informed reporters that Israel was "very happy" about the developments. However, Netanyahu's spokesman contended that Hamas's actions indicate preparations for "further massacres reminiscent of October 7" and pointed out that the plan released by Trump's Board of Peace envisions Gaza as a "deradicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors."

This vision, he emphasized, stands in stark contrast to the current situation and Hamas's declared intentions. The prime requisite for any enduring arrangement, according to the spokesman, is the genuine, verifiable, and irreversible demilitarization of Hamas. Anything short of this full demilitarization would leave Hamas capable of threatening Israel once more.

An unnamed Israeli official, speaking anonymously, further stated that Israel, which still maintains control over most of the Gaza Strip, would not withdraw forces under the proposed plan until it verifies the disarmament by Hamas. Israeli strikes persisted after the Hamas announcement, with Palestinian authorities reporting on Sunday that Israeli attacks had claimed the lives of at least 13 individuals.

In the initial 1,000 days of Israel's assaults on Gaza since October 7, 2023, over 73,000 Palestinians had been killed, as per Palestinian authorities.