Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Hamas must fully disarm before any progress can be made on advancing a proposed peace framework associated with former United States president Donald Trump.
Speaking amid continued discussions about post war governance in Gaza, Netanyahu said the surrender of all weapons by Hamas was a non negotiable condition for stability and future political arrangements in the territory.
He said Israel could not support any peace process that allows an armed militant group to retain military capability after years of conflict and repeated attacks against Israeli civilians. Netanyahu framed the disarmament demand as central to broader regional security, arguing that durable peace requires the removal of what he described as terror infrastructure from Gaza.
The Israeli leader linked the position to discussions surrounding a Trump backed peace initiative, which he said could only move forward if Hamas relinquishes all rifles and military assets. Hamas has previously rejected calls to disarm, maintaining that its weapons are necessary for what it describes as resistance.
Analysts say this position remains a major obstacle to negotiations. International mediators have sought to revive diplomatic pathways following more than two years of war, with debates intensifying over who should govern Gaza in a post conflict scenario.
Netanyahu reiterated that alternative governance models could be explored once Hamas is no longer an armed force, adding that Israel would work with international partners to ensure security and reconstruction. The comments come as pressure mounts on regional and global actors to outline a clear political horizon for Gaza while addressing humanitarian needs and long term security concerns. Observers note that disarmament demands have historically been among the most contentious issues in Middle East peace efforts, often determining whether negotiations can proceed or stall.