Netanyahu Rejects Hamas Disarmament Deal Before Elections
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- Hamas agreed to a U.S.-backed disarmament framework under Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan, prompting Trump to declare the deal "HISTORIC" and "a monumental step toward lasting PEACE and SECURITY" on social media.
- Netanyahu rejected the framework within days, saying Israel "did not agree" and won't withdraw from current lines until Hamas is "completely disarmed," while Israeli forces launched airstrikes in Gaza after the announcement.
- Experts attribute Israel's resistance to upcoming October elections, noting Netanyahu's coalition promised "absolute victory" and cannot appear to make concessions to Hamas before voters go to the polls.
- Qatar and Turkey's potential role in the verification mechanism makes the deal unpalatable to Israel, with RAND's Shira Efron saying some Israelis view Turkey as "the new Iran."
- The Board of Peace backed down on linking Israeli withdrawal to disarmament, posting that withdrawal "beyond the Yellow Line will take place only once decommissioning is complete" after its high representative Nickolay Mladenov met with Netanyahu.
- Israel currently controls over 60 percent of Gaza, with Netanyahu having directed the IDF in May to expand control to 70 percent — suggesting no near-term withdrawal regardless of the framework.
- The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), whose 15 Palestinian members would oversee the disarmament process, remains blocked by Israel from entering Gaza and is stuck in Cairo.
Why it matters: The Board of Peace has already conceded Israel won't withdraw from Gaza until disarmament is "complete," effectively abandoning the linkage between troop pullback and Hamas's concession. With Israel controlling over 60% of Gaza and Netanyahu having directed expansion to 70% in May, Hamas gave up leverage for zero territorial return — shifting blame to Israel ahead of October elections.
