JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly stated his resolve to disarm Hamas, indicating that this will be achieved either through the peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump or via continued military operations.
In a video message, Netanyahu also hinted that Israel would not fully withdraw from Gaza, a core demand that Hamas has long insisted upon. This declaration comes as Israel and Hamas prepare for indirect talks in Egypt, scheduled for Monday.
Netanyahu asserted that Israel will maintain control over the areas within Gaza currently managed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Regarding the next steps, he said: “In the second phase of the plan, we will disarm Hamas either through a diplomatic or a military operation. Donald Trump will not tolerate any further delay.”
The Prime Minister also expressed hope that information concerning the release of hostages in Gaza could be made public in the coming days. Israel currently estimates that 20 of the remaining 48 hostages held in Gaza are alive.
Netanyahu’s comments follow Hamas’s recent acceptance of certain conditions within President Trump’s peace plan, specifically agreeing to release Israeli hostages and transfer control of the Gaza Strip’s administration. However, Hamas has requested further negotiations on other terms of the agreement.
President Trump welcomed Hamas’s positive response and subsequently instructed Israel to immediately halt the bombing of Gaza. Trump had earlier warned both sides that a failure to swiftly accept the peace plan would lead to severe consequences. He has reiterated his demand for the rapid implementation of the peace plan and the immediate release of the hostages, stressing that delay would not be tolerated.
