Israel Shares Concerns Over Proposed Disarmament Deal with Hamas Amid Ongoing Strikes

Israel has expressed significant security worries to the United States in relation to the proposed disarmament agreement with Hamas. Doron Spielman, a spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, shared these concerns following Israeli military strikes that resulted in at least 17 deaths, including children, in Gaza. This marked one of the first public statements from Israeli officials since U.S. President Donald Trump revealed the agreement.

Spielman discussed Israel’s intelligence perspective, emphasizing Hamas’s focus on rebuilding its military rather than fully disarming. He asserted that the Israeli military would not exit Gaza, controlling over 60% of the area, until Hamas is truly disarmed. “Our assessment is that if we redeploy before Hamas is truly disarmed, it will quickly expand its presence throughout Gaza, rebuild its terrorist infrastructure, once again threaten Israeli communities,” Spielman stated, referencing Hamas’s attack on Israel in 2023 that initiated the current Gaza conflict.

The potential deal, facilitated by the U.S., involves Hamas disarmament, a long-debated issue, deadlocking talks for months. President Trump announced the ceasefire plan on social media, envisioning an Israeli withdrawal and the introduction of a Palestinian technocratic government, alongside international security forces.

Hamas declared its readiness to disarm, though obstacles remain. According to the agreement, copies obtained by The Associated Press state all weapons held by Hamas will transfer to the Palestinian committee upon its arrival, though the timeline depends on various conditions. Heavy weapons will be decommissioned, production sites dismantled, starting after international forces and the Palestinian committee’s arrival, linked to phased Israeli withdrawal.

Current Situation in Gaza

Presently, Israeli-controlled areas in Gaza are largely destroyed and emptied, with 2 million Palestinians inhabiting the other section, enduring dire conditions in tent camps and devastated neighborhoods. Israel appears reluctant to make significant withdrawals or concessions before its October elections, with Prime Minister Netanyahu facing a challenging reelection, pressured by his coalition partners to maintain pressure on Hamas after the 2023 attack. Militants led by Hamas struck Israeli regions, causing the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, leading Israel to commence a military offensive killing over 73,000 individuals, according to Gaza Health Ministry figures.

Israel’s Security Position

While Spielman acknowledged Trump’s commitment to Israeli security, he stressed Israel’s reliance on intelligence reports that indicate Hamas’s continuous efforts to rearm and recruit. The White House did not elaborate on Israel’s stance but clarified that Israel was consulted throughout the disarmament talks, bound only by prior commitments made in last October’s ceasefire agreement.

Details shared with former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair included Israel’s insistence on conducting military actions in Gaza and their stipulation against Qatar and Turkey verifying agreement stages. Another condition involves the destruction of Hamas’s arms post-confiscation.

Despite the ceasefire, Israeli strikes on Gaza persist, targeting Hamas and its infrastructure. Recent strikes claimed at least 17 lives, according to Gaza hospitals, including a family with a young child in a southern residential area. The Israeli military reported targeting militant figures in their operations.