Israeli Official: Troops Will Not Leave Gaza Without Genuine Hamas Disarmament

A senior Israeli official said Friday that Israeli troops will not pull back from Gaza without what was described as a genuine disarmament of Hamas, pushing back against an optimistic assessment made by US President Donald Trump, who insisted Israel was satisfied with a proposal for the Palestinian militant group to surrender its weapons in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal.

Trump Claims Agreement, Israel Signals Conditions

Trump told reporters that Hamas had agreed in principle to disarm as part of a broader deal that would see Israeli forces exit the Gaza Strip. However, Israeli officials signaled that any such arrangement would need to involve verifiable, comprehensive disarmament rather than a partial or symbolic gesture.

The Israeli position underscores the significant gap that remains between the two sides' interpretations of what any agreement would entail. Hamas has historically rejected full disarmament as incompatible with its stated mission.

Diplomatic Efforts Continue

International mediators, including representatives from Qatar and Egypt, have been working to bridge the divide between Israeli demands and Hamas positions. A lasting ceasefire and hostage release deal have remained elusive despite months of negotiations.

The standoff leaves millions of civilians in Gaza facing continued hardship while diplomatic efforts proceed with no clear timeline for resolution.