TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel has expressed serious security concerns to the White House regarding the proposed disarmament deal with Hamas. Doron Spielman, spokesperson for the Israeli Prime Minister’s office, highlighted concerns following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of the agreement. Spielman indicated that Israel's intelligence assessment suggests Hamas is focused on rebuilding its military capabilities instead of genuinely disarming. He stated unequivocally that the Israeli military will not withdraw from Gaza, where it controls over 60% of the territory, until Hamas disarms.
Spielman emphasized the risk of a renewed threat if Israel redeploys its forces before Hamas is genuinely disarmed, referencing the Hamas militant attack on Israel in October 2023 that sparked the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. "Our assessment is that if we redeploy before Hamas is truly disarmed, it will quickly expand its presence throughout Gaza, rebuild its terrorist infrastructure, and seek to carry out another Oct. 7-style attack,” he asserted, underscoring the seriousness of Israel's position on disarmament.
Despite Hamas’s claim of willingness to begin disarming as part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, the process remains fraught with challenges. Trump's 20-point ceasefire plan stipulates that Hamas must surrender its weapons and dismantle its extensive network of tunnels. The proposal also includes provisions for the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the establishment of a new technocratic Palestinian government, and the arrival of an international security force to facilitate the rebuilding of Gaza.
Although the disarmament of Hamas has been a contentious issue delaying negotiations, Trump indicated that the process would occur in "carefully structured phases." According to a copy of the agreement obtained by AP, all weapons held by the Hamas-run police are to be transferred to the U.S.-backed Palestinian technocratic committee, known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, upon its arrival. However, the timeline for these developments remains uncertain, as they are contingent upon a series of preceding steps.
After the arrival of the Palestinian committee and the deployment of international forces, efforts to decommission heavy weapons and dismantle military production sites will begin. This demilitarization process is tied to a phased Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, as laid out in the agreement.
The situation in the areas controlled by Israel in Gaza remains dire, with much of the territory having been destroyed and depopulated. Most of Gaza's 2 million residents reside in the opposite part of the territory, facing squalid living conditions in tent camps and ruined neighborhoods.
Ahead of elections in October, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears unlikely to withdraw significant forces or make substantial concessions concerning Gaza. Facing a challenging reelection, Netanyahu's coalition partners advocate for maintaining pressure on Hamas, while critics accuse him of failing to prevent the deadly attack on October 7, 2023. This attack resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, predominantly among civilians, and the capture of 251 hostages, prompting a severe Israeli military response that has reportedly claimed over 73,000 lives in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
While Spielman acknowledged the value of Trump's commitment to Israel's security, he reiterated Israel's intelligence findings indicating that Hamas continues to rearm and strengthen its military capabilities. It remains unclear what specifics were communicated to the White House regarding Israel's concerns, though reports suggest that Israeli officials have expressed their issues to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is involved with Trump's Board of Peace.
Despite the signed ceasefire, Israeli military operations have continued in Gaza, with recent strikes reportedly targeting Hamas infrastructure. On the night of Saturday to Sunday, Israeli strikes led to the deaths of at least 12 people, including children, with reports indicating that an airstrike on a residential building resulted in the deaths of three family members, including a young child. The Israeli military has maintained that these strikes are aimed at Hamas military operatives.
