Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's spokesman Doron Spielman told the Associated Press that Israel's intelligence assessment indicates Hamas remains committed to rebuilding its military capabilities, and that the IDF will not withdraw from Gaza until the terror group is disarmed.
On Monday morning, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's spokesman Doron Spielman elaborated to the Associated Press on Israel's security concerns regarding the emerging Hamas disarmament plan. Spielman confirmed that Israel's intelligence assessment indicates Hamas remains committed to rebuilding its military capabilities, and that the IDF will not withdraw from Gaza until the terror group is disarmed. The statement represents the most detailed public accounting of Israel's position since the PMO first conveyed concerns to Washington on Sunday evening.
The Sunday evening reports, published at 19:51 Jerusalem, first emerged through the Prime Minister's Office, which stated it had relayed 'serious concerns' to the United States. Shortly afterward, the PM's spokesman confirmed to Reuters that concerns had been conveyed. The current AP interview adds that Israel's intelligence assessment specifically points to Hamas's intent to rearm, reinforcing an earlier IDF assessment from June 29 that the terror group is recruiting new fighters and rebuilding command structures during the current lull in fighting.
The disarmament plan, which Hamas reportedly agreed to on July 30, calls for a phased disarmament of terror groups in Gaza under a technocratic government, with a multinational force overseeing the transition. The Peace Council's roadmap, published July 31, included provisions for heavy weapons to remain under Palestinian control, a point of contention for Israeli security officials. As The Zioneer reported on June 12, Prime Minister Netanyahu has long insisted that Israel will not withdraw from strategic security zones until full disarmament is verified.
The White House has not yet publicly responded to Israel's latest concerns. Key questions remain over the verification mechanism for disarmament, the timeline for IDF withdrawal, and whether Hamas's agreement to the plan is genuine or a tactical maneuver to regroup.
3 developments
- DevelopingZe'ev Elkin: Israel will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas disarms, expresses doubt
- StrongTrump says IDF withdrawal after full Hamas disarmament; Mladenov calls for phased pullout
- DevelopingDanon: Any Gaza plan must ensure full Hamas disarmament, rejects relocation proposals
- DevelopingIsrael's UN envoy Danon: 'Israel will not wait forever' on Hamas disarmament
Source and signal
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