JERUSALEM, Israel has reportedly rejected major elements of a newly announced agreement on Hamas disarmament despite US President Donald Trump presenting it as a diplomatic breakthrough, according to Israeli officials and local media reports.
Although the Israeli government has not issued an official public response, media briefings attributed to senior government officials indicate that Jerusalem remains opposed to several key provisions of the proposed arrangement.
President Trump announced that negotiators had reached an agreement involving the disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza, describing it as a major step toward ending the conflict.
However, Israeli officials have largely refrained from publicly commenting on the announcement, with political observers suggesting the government is seeking to avoid a direct confrontation with Washington.
Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir strongly criticized any agreement with Hamas.
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He argued that Hamas should not be negotiated with and called for Israel to expand military operations throughout the Gaza Strip.
Opposition leader Avigdor Lieberman also criticized the proposal, warning that any agreement with Hamas could repeat mistakes that preceded the October 7 attacks.
According to statements circulated by Israeli government sources to Hebrew-language media, Israel believes Hamas’s pledge to surrender heavy weapons is insufficient.
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Officials argued that:
- Most of Hamas’s rockets have already been destroyed.
- The primary concern is the large number of small arms reportedly held by thousands of Hamas members.
- Israel will not accept armed Palestinian groups remaining in Gaza.
- Israeli forces will not withdraw from strategic security zones before complete disarmament is verified.
The officials also rejected suggestions of a gradual Israeli military withdrawal under the current proposal.
One Israeli official reportedly claimed that Gaza was not discussed during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent White House meeting with President Trump.
However, a US official later disputed that assertion, saying that US envoy Steve Witkoff had briefed both leaders on negotiations concerning Hamas’s disarmament.
According to the US official, Israel had been fully informed about the discussions and the details of the proposed agreement.
The official added that the proposal could resolve the Gaza conflict if Hamas fully complies with its commitments, while warning that any violation would halt implementation.
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Despite the diplomatic discussions, Israeli military activity in Gaza continues.
According to reports, Israel is:
- Expanding defensive infrastructure across central Gaza.
- Continuing targeted military operations.
- Maintaining restrictions at the Rafah crossing.
- Delaying the entry of the proposed Palestinian technocratic administration intended to replace Hamas in governing Gaza.
These developments have raised questions about whether implementation of the proposed agreement can move forward.
Israeli analysts quoted by local media said many officials remain doubtful that Hamas intends to fully disarm.
Some also expressed skepticism regarding the roles of Qatar and Türkiye as mediators, arguing that they believe the group may be attempting to preserve its political position while reducing international pressure.
The future of the proposed agreement remains uncertain as negotiations continue and differences persist between Washington and Jerusalem over the conditions required for ending the conflict.
