Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday evening that Israel has not agreed to any draft agreement on Gaza, according to an N12 report. He stated that President Trump believes Gaza can be disarmed and that Israel is examining this possibility, while reiterating that Israel will not withdraw from its positions until Hamas is disarmed.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a follow-up statement Tuesday evening denying that Israel has agreed to any draft agreement regarding Gaza, according to an N12 report. The statement came shortly after his earlier declaration at 20:29 Jerusalem that Israel would not withdraw from its positions until Hamas is fully disarmed. Netanyahu added that President Trump believes Gaza can be disarmed and that Israel is examining that proposal, while reiterating that no withdrawal will occur until Hamas is disarmed.
The earlier statement at 20:29 Jerusalem, reported by The Zioneer, established the prime minister's position that Israeli forces would maintain their positions and that soldiers are authorized to defend themselves. The new statement, reported by N12, adds a denial of any accepted draft and introduces the Trump administration's disarmament concept as under review. This marks a clarification amid reports of ongoing negotiations.
The Trump administration has been actively engaged in Gaza disarmament talks. As The Zioneer reported on July 30, envoy Steve Witkoff briefed Trump and Netanyahu on the progress of negotiations with Hamas regarding disarmament. On July 31, Trump stated that Israel is "very satisfied" with the agreement, according to N12. However, Netanyahu's latest remarks suggest that no final draft has been accepted and that Israel is still examining the US proposal. Earlier, on July 27, a report indicated that the US conditioned a Netanyahu-Trump meeting on Israel's approval of an international stabilization force in Gaza, a move that a source said Netanyahu advanced headstrongly.
It remains unclear whether Hamas has responded to the Trump administration's disarmament proposal and what specific mechanisms would ensure long-term disarmament. The prime minister's denial of a draft agreement suggests that negotiations are still in flux, and no final terms have been set.
2 developments
- DevelopingZe'ev Elkin: Israel will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas disarms, expresses doubt
- StrongIsrael conveys 'serious security concerns' to White House over Hamas disarmament plan
- StrongSenior Jerusalem officials: No retreat before Hamas disarmament, not part of original Trump framework
- StrongNetanyahu: IDF controls nearly 70% of Gaza Strip; vows no withdrawal from Lebanon buffer zone
Source and signal
- Open-source intake