Israel rejects ceasefire framework, demands complete Hamas disarmament

Israeli officials have sharply criticised a 15-point ceasefire proposal discussed in Cairo, saying it falls far short of their core security requirements. The sticking point centres on the disarmament of Hamas, with Jerusalem insisting on the complete removal of all weapons from Gaza rather than merely placing them under international supervision. Officials argue this distinction is crucial to preventing the militant group from rearming once a conflict ends.

The disagreement has created significant tension between Israel and its American ally, with the United States presenting the Cairo framework as equivalent to a “full disarmament” of Hamas. Israeli officials claim the proposal addresses only weapons storage under international oversight, not the permanent removal of arsenals from Palestinian territory.

According to Israeli political sources, the Gaza situation was notably absent from a recent meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former US President Donald Trump. Instead, Israeli objections to the framework were conveyed through Tony Blair, the international envoy for the Middle East, underlining the sensitive nature of the disagreements between Washington and Jerusalem over ceasefire terms.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.