Netanyahu vows Israel won't withdraw from Gaza until Hamas disarmed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that the Israeli military will not withdraw from positions across the Gaza Strip until Palestinian resistance group Hamas is completely disarmed, declaring: "We will not withdraw from our current positions until Hamas is fully disarmed." He posted the remarks in a video on Facebook as disputes persist over a US proposal for phased withdrawal.

Netanyahu said he remains committed to security interests and rejected a draft proposal from Washington. "They sent us a draft that we did not approve, and we sent them our comments on it," he stated, referring to the Board of Peace roadmap.

Gaza occupation and casualties

The Israeli army currently controls approximately 70% of the Gaza Strip following a genocidal war that has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians and injured over 174,000 since October 2023, according to Palestinian figures. Israel has continued to violate the ceasefire agreement in effect since October 10, 2025, killing 1,252 Palestinians and injuring 4,120 others during that period.

Dispute over US roadmap

The disagreement centers on a roadmap announced by the Board of Peace, which envisages parallel implementation of disarmament and withdrawal alongside an international stabilization force. Tel Aviv insists that demilitarization must precede any troop removal, while Hamas has accepted the plan that includes transferring administration to a Palestinian technocratic committee.

Hamas reaffirms ceasefire commitment

Board of Peace envoy Nikolay Mladenov met Netanyahu on Monday, with the board stating afterward that full Israeli withdrawal would not occur before heavy and light weapons and tunnels are dismantled. Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to the second phase of the ceasefire process.