In a significant departure from President-elect Donald Trump’s transition-team proposals, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a plan centered on the disarmament of Hamas in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

The proposed framework, which had garnered attention as a potential path toward de-escalating the ongoing conflict, was explicitly rebuffed by the Prime Minister’s office. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel’s security remains the paramount concern, asserting that any discussion of a full military withdrawal is premature until Hamas is completely and verifiably disarmed.

"There will be no withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed," a government statement clarified, echoing the administration's long-standing position that a security vacuum in the territory would pose an unacceptable risk to the Israeli public.

This rejection marks a rare moment of friction between the Israeli government and the incoming U.S. administration. Trump, who has frequently touted his ability to broker complex peace deals, has not yet issued a formal response to the Prime Minister’s stance. Analysts suggest that this development signals a potential challenge for the incoming administration’s Middle East policy, as Netanyahu continues to prioritize the complete eradication of Hamas’s military infrastructure over international pressure for a swift resolution.

As of now, the Israeli military remains positioned throughout key sectors of Gaza, and officials have reiterated that the current operational mandate will continue until the stated security objectives are fully achieved. The international community is closely watching how this disagreement might shape the future of U.S.-Israel diplomatic relations once the new administration takes office in January.

Source: The New York Times