A senior White House official told Israeli outlet Yeniunis that a report claiming the Trump administration no longer conditions Gaza reconstruction on Hamas's disarmament is "total and ridiculous fake news." The official outlined a plan under which displaced Gazans will be allowed to move to areas cleared of tunnels and with humanitarian infrastructure — far from the border and without Hamas control — but said no reconstruction will begin until the Strip is demilitarized.
A senior White House official has forcefully denied a Friday morning front-page report in Yediot Ahronot that claimed the Trump administration has dropped its demand for Hamas's disarmament as a condition for reconstructing the Gaza Strip.
Speaking to the Israeli outlet Yeniunis, the official called the claim "total and ridiculous fake news," and reiterated that "there will be no reconstruction before disarmament." The official described a multi-stage American plan: once Israel declares that seized territory is clear of tunnels — as per Section 17 of the U.S. 20-point framework — the civilian population that wishes to move will be permitted to relocate to areas with humanitarian facilities (tents, clean water) and, crucially, without any Hamas presence. These zones would be far from the border with Israel and without contact with IDF soldiers. "Hamas will have no foothold there," the official said, adding that the terror group "fears this option very much — in addition to losing territory, it will also lose the population, which will vote with its feet."
The official acknowledged the process would take months, but emphasized that no reconstruction at all will commence before the Strip is fully demilitarized.
This denial follows a morning report by Yediot Ahronot commentator Nahum Barnea suggesting the former U.S. position on disarmament had softened. A separate Israel Hayom column by Ariel Kahana had already dismissed the Yediot headline as "fake news" hours before the White House statement. As The Zioneer reported earlier this week, the U.S. has been pushing a comprehensive reconstruction plan alongside an international force deployment, an effort that was reportedly blocked by the Israeli security cabinet last week.
- DevelopingNahum Barnea: US no longer conditions Gaza reconstruction on Hamas disarmament
- DevelopingIsrael Hayom columnist: Yediot Ahronot's Gaza reconstruction headline is 'fake news'
- DevelopingReport: US pushes Gaza reconstruction and international force, cabinet blocks interim deal
- DevelopingRight-wing activist: Gaza rehabilitation base is not a humanitarian project; disarm Hamas first
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