Netanyahu Orders IDF Readiness as Hamas Disarmament Stalls
Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the Israel Defense Forces to prepare for Hamas attacks as reports of ceasefire violations and stalled disarmament efforts persist in the Gaza Strip.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel's defense minister have ordered the Israel Defense Forces to prepare for potential Hamas attacks, citing intelligence that the group intends to challenge Israel before upcoming elections. This escalation follows reports from High Representative for Gaza Nickolay Mladenov to the UN Security Council that Hamas has violated commitments by rebuilding tunnels and military infrastructure.
Despite a ceasefire that began on October 10, 2025, Israeli forces continue to conduct strikes in Gaza. The Hamas-run health ministry reports more than 1,400 deaths since the ceasefire started, including over 300 children. The IDF maintains it is targeting Hamas operatives and accuses the group of using hospitals, mosques, and schools as bases, as well as using children to transport weapons.
A broader peace deal remains stalled over the second phase of an agreement. While President Donald Trump and the Board of Peace announced a roadmap for the complete disarmament of Hamas on July 31—co-signed by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey—Netanyahu rejected a U.S. plan to disarm the group in August. He stated that no military pull-out would occur until Hamas is "genuinely" disarmed. Hamas has conditioned the surrender of heavy weapons on a full Israeli withdrawal.
Reconstruction efforts are also frozen. Although the Board of Peace proposed a $2.45 billion recovery plan, strict Israeli controls on materials and machinery entering the territory have prevented the start of reconstruction.
