Israel Rejects Hamas Disarmament Deal Over Security Concerns

Israel has expressed serious security concerns to the White House regarding a disarmament plan for Hamas announced by Donald Trump. While the U.S. president described the process as occurring in "carefully structured phases," Israel refuses to withdraw its military from the Gaza Strip—where it currently controls over 60% of the territory—until Hamas physically surrenders its weapons.

Reports indicate that Hamas has begun distributing individual weapons to its operatives to avoid total disarmament under the agreement, using the guise of personal ownership to maintain its arsenal. Despite these reports, the Board of Peace maintains that Hamas remains committed to the deal, and the group has confirmed its participation to the United States and the governments of Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.

The proposed framework requires Hamas to halt military activity and destroy tunnels before the Israel Defense Forces withdraw to allow for reconstruction by the International Stabilization Force and the U.S.-backed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. However, Israel continues military operations, including a strike on August 1-2 that killed at least 10 people. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces internal political pressure and upcoming October elections, complicating any further concessions.