Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly opposed withdrawing military forces from Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed, dismissing a proposal backed by the United States that ties the withdrawal to a comprehensive peace agreement. According to Israeli officials, intelligence reports suggest that Hamas continues to recruit fighters, rebuild its military capabilities, and stockpile weapons. Israel argues that pulling out troops prematurely would enable Hamas to reestablish control over Gaza, thereby renewing security threats.
The U.S.-brokered ceasefire framework under discussion proposes that Hamas surrender its weapons and dismantle its tunnel network. It also calls for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces, the formation of a Palestinian technocratic administration, the deployment of an international security force, and the reconstruction of Gaza. However, these terms have been rejected by Netanyahu, who insists on disarmament as a prerequisite for any military withdrawal.
In the ongoing conflict, Israeli airstrikes in recent days have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 17 individuals, including children. In a separate incident, Palestinians conducted a mass funeral after rescue teams recovered over 100 bodies from the rubble of a significant Israeli airstrike in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City, which occurred in November 2023. Recovery operations are still underway, as many victims are believed to remain trapped beneath the debris.
The current conflict traces back to Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which caused the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 hostages. This attack served as the catalyst for the ongoing war in Gaza, escalating tensions and leading to the current military engagements and diplomatic stalemates.