Key facts
- Israel has communicated "serious security concerns" to the White House regarding a proposed Hamas disarmament deal.
- An Israeli official stated that intelligence suggests Hamas intends to rebuild its military capabilities.
- Israel indicated its military would not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is disarmed.
- The U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement includes Hamas surrendering weapons and destroying tunnels.
- Israel has continued to conduct strikes in Gaza, targeting Hamas operatives.
Israel has conveyed "serious security concerns" to the White House regarding a proposed disarmament deal with Hamas, an Israeli official told The Associated Press. Doron Spielman, spokesperson for the Israeli Prime Minister’s office, stated that Israel's intelligence assessment is that Hamas remains committed to rebuilding its military rather than genuinely demilitarizing.
Spielman emphasized that Israeli forces would not withdraw from Gaza, where they control over 60% of the territory, before Hamas is disarmed. He warned that redeployment before disarmament would allow Hamas to quickly expand its presence, rebuild its infrastructure, threaten Israeli communities, and potentially carry out another Oct. 7-style attack.
The U.S.-brokered ceasefire plan, announced by President Donald Trump, calls for Hamas to surrender its weapons and destroy its tunnel network. It also envisions Israeli forces withdrawing from Gaza, the establishment of a new technocratic Palestinian government, deployment of an international security force, and the rebuilding of Gaza.
Hamas has stated it will disarm, but the process faces significant obstacles. A copy of the agreement obtained by the AP indicates that weapons held by Hamas-run police would be transferred to a U.S.-backed Palestinian committee upon its arrival in Gaza. A process to decommission heavy weapons and dismantle military sites and tunnels would begin after the arrival of the Palestinian committee and international forces, linked to a phased Israeli withdrawal.
Israel continues to conduct strikes in Gaza, stating it targets Hamas operatives and infrastructure. Over the weekend, Israeli strikes killed at least 10 people, including children.