Trump-Netanyahu rift widens over Gaza plan as Israeli strikes persist
Israel has conveyed its concerns to the United States over a proposed framework to end the war in Gaza, even as its military continued strikes on the Palestinian territory. The development marks the latest sign of a disconnect between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing a tough re-election battle in October.
"Israel has conveyed its comments and concerns on the proposed framework to our American counterparts. The version that has been made public does not reflect Israel's positions," Doron Spielman, spokesman for the Prime Minister's office, told AFP. He said Israeli intelligence had found that Hamas had been rearming and recruiting forces since a ceasefire announced by Mr. Trump in October.
The ceasefire has brought a reduction in violence, but Israel still controls more than 60% of the Gaza Strip. According to Gaza authorities, more than 1,200 Palestinians have been killed since the truce took effect. The Israeli military says it has lost five soldiers and one civilian contractor in the same period.
The war began when Hamas carried out the deadliest attack in Israel's history on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people, according to Israeli officials. Gaza's health ministry says more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in the subsequent Israeli offensive, which has also displaced most of the territory's population.
On Friday, Hamas announced it would give up its weapons under Mr. Trump's plan to a nascent Palestinian governing committee. Mr. Trump called the move a "major milestone" and told reporters that Israel was "very happy" with the development. However, Mr. Netanyahu has not spoken publicly about it.
Netanyahu's spokesman said that Hamas's actions since the ceasefire showed it was preparing for "further October 7-style massacres." He noted that the plan released by Mr. Trump's "Board of Peace" called for Gaza to be "a deradicalised terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbours." But he added: "That vision stands in direct contrast to the current reality and to Hamas's stated intentions. The indispensable first step toward any lasting arrangement is the genuine, verifiable and irreversible demilitarisation of Hamas. Anything short of full demilitarisation will leave Hamas with the capability to threaten Israel again."
The roadmap, dated July 30, called for Israel to complete "fully" and "without delay" its commitments to cease military operations in Gaza. It also called for a "phased withdrawal" of Israeli forces. Israel has insisted on maintaining its presence until Hamas is disarmed.
Despite the ceasefire, there has been no let-up in Israeli strikes. A security official in Gaza said that since early Sunday, Israeli strikes have killed 19 Palestinians, including women and children. Palestinian authorities also reported that an Israeli strike on Saturday destroyed a large quantity of medical supplies. Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of using civilian infrastructure to conceal weapons and fighters, and said it had destroyed arms depots across Gaza. The military also identified two people it said were planning attacks on Israeli civilians and troops and were killed on Saturday.
Mohammad Dahlan, a senior Palestinian political figure involved in the Gaza plan, said he had been told by Jared Kushner, Mr. Trump's son-in-law and aide, that Israel would end strikes in Gaza effective Sunday. Mr. Dahlan later revised that statement, saying Mr. Kushner was "working with the Israeli side to halt the attacks." He subsequently accused Mr. Netanyahu of working "to obstruct the most promising opportunity to begin ending this war."
The public disagreement over the Gaza framework underscores the diplomatic complexities facing the ceasefire effort, which has reduced violence but has not yet produced a durable political settlement. Both Washington and Tel Aviv continue to engage on the plan, but the coming weeks are likely to test their ability to bridge the gaps.
