Netanyahu rejects US-backed Hamas disarmament deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a US-backed deal to disarm Hamas, in his first public comments on the matter, potentially leading to a conflict with President Donald Trump. In a video posted on his Facebook page, Netanyahu stated that Israel will not relinquish its current positions in Gaza "until Hamas is completely disarmed."

Israel continues to occupy most of Gaza, even after a ceasefire in October. The plan was negotiated over months between Hamas, the Board of Peace, and mediator countries, but Israel was not involved in the talks. Netanyahu said that while the US administration is considering the draft proposal, Israel did not agree to it. Netanyahu's stance conflicts with the disarmament plan, which requires Israel to withdraw from areas it occupies in Gaza as Hamas surrenders its weapons.

The Board of Peace diplomat Nickolay Mladenov met with Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday, describing the negotiations as "a long day" and "slow, grinding and technical work." Netanyahu's rejection of the deal presents a challenge to the negotiations, as some members of the ultranationalist government in Israel persist in opposing any withdrawal and advocate for the establishment of Israeli settlements within Gaza.

Despite Netanyahu's opposition, Israeli media reported on Tuesday evening that the military had been instructed to limit strikes on Gaza to immediate threats only, with any additional targeted killings requiring approval from the military chief of staff.