Israel Rejects Trump’s Gaza Plan, Insists on Hamas’ Full Disarmament

Israel has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan for the disarmament of Hamas in Gaza, calling it unacceptable. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said there could be no withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza until Hamas is completely disarmed, The Times of Israel reported.

In a message posted on Telegram on Friday (July 31), Ben Gvir said every Hamas member had “blood on their hands” following the October 7 massacre. He argued that promising to halt targeted operations against Hamas members would only give the group time to prepare for another attack.

He added that Israel must continue its military campaign against Hamas, encourage the voluntary emigration of Palestinians from Gaza, and ensure Israel emerges victorious.

Meanwhile, a senior Israeli official told local media that Israeli troops would not withdraw from their current positions in Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed. The official said Israel’s position remains unchanged despite reports suggesting progress in political negotiations over Gaza.

According to the official, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will not pull back from the current “Yellow Line” unless Hamas’ complete disarmament is guaranteed.

The same official said on Thursday that the disarmament proposal put forward by the Board of Peace does not meet Israel’s conditions, as the country’s primary demand is Hamas’ total disarmament before any Israeli troop withdrawal.

Under the Board of Peace proposal, however, Hamas has agreed to surrender its weapons in phases. In return, Israel would begin reducing its military presence in Gaza and withdraw to previously agreed positions during the first stage of the plan.

A Board of Peace official indicated that the troop withdrawal was expected to begin within the next few days. Hamas, however, warned that if Israel does not return to the pre-agreed Yellow Line, the weapons handover process will not move forward.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not publicly commented on the proposal. The United States, however, has welcomed Hamas’ reported willingness to accept disarmament.

A senior U.S. official also warned that President Donald Trump would be “extremely disappointed” if Israel obstructs Washington’s plan for Gaza.

Source: The Times of Israel