IDF to continue to 'operate proactively' in Gaza, Israeli military chief says

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly rejected any plan for Israel to withdraw from its current positions in Gaza unless Hamas fully disarms, according to statements he made on Tuesday. The declaration comes amid growing uncertainty over a proposed U.S.-backed agreement aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in the region. Netanyahu’s refusal to move forward without assurances that Hamas has relinquished all arms has raised questions about the viability of the deal and deepened tensions between Israel and the Trump administration. The proposed agreement, backed by the United States, outlined a framework under which Hamas would begin disarming and Israel would cease its military operations and start withdrawing from approximately 60 percent of the Gaza Strip it currently occupies. The deal was built upon an October ceasefire that halted large-scale combat operations and led to the release of the last remaining hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. However, implementation has faced delays, particularly regarding the disarmament of Hamas and the establishment of an international stabilization force to support the transition. In a video message shared on social media, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel would not compromise on security concerns. He stated that Israeli forces would continue to take actions deemed necessary to protect national interests and civilian lives. Netanyahu criticized the Trump administration for sending a draft proposal that Israel had not agreed to, asserting that the final terms would reflect Israel’s priorities rather than those of the U.S. government. “President (Donald) Trump and his team think they can get Hamas to disarm and demilitarize Gaza,” Netanyahu said. “We are examining this. They sent us a draft. We did not agree. It is not our draft. We sent our comments. … This is our position.” He added that Israel had submitted its feedback prior to any public discussion of the issue, underscoring that the country would not yield on matters of national security. The U.S.-sponsored ceasefire agreement included provisions for the deployment of an international stabilization force and the creation of an independent Palestinian administration responsible for overseeing governance and rebuilding efforts in Gaza. However, both sides have accused each other of failing to meet their obligations under the truce. Israel insists that Hamas must surrender all weapons before any troop withdrawals can occur, while Hamas claims that Israel must stop its attacks and begin pulling back from occupied areas. Netanyahu’s rejection of the current proposal adds pressure to an already fragile situation. With Israeli elections scheduled for October, the prime minister faces mounting challenges in securing public support for continued military operations in Gaza. His hardline stance aligns with domestic political pressures from right-wing factions within his Likud party, many of whom oppose any concessions to Hamas. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has expressed frustration over the lack of progress in implementing the ceasefire. Officials have repeatedly urged both parties to adhere to the terms of the agreement, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive resolution to the conflict. However, the divergence in priorities between Israel and the U.S. suggests that reaching a consensus may prove difficult. As negotiations continue, the fate of the ceasefire hangs in the balance. Both sides remain entrenched in their positions, with no clear indication of how the impasse might be resolved. The situation underscores the complexity of achieving peace in a region where trust is scarce and security concerns dominate decision-making.