Netanyahu's Hardline Condition: No Gaza Withdrawal Before Hamas Disarmament
A senior Israeli official confirmed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ties the withdrawal of his troops from the Gaza Strip strictly to the complete disarmament of Hamas, deeming it a prerequisite for any reconstruction or military freeze, according to CNN reports.
Meeting Details and Negotiations
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office described in an official statement the talks held on Monday with US envoy Jared Kushner as productive and deep, agreeing on the formation of two joint working groups to address disarmament and public health issues.
Both sides agreed that a US general would lead the process of dismantling Hamas' weapons as a first step to stripping the sector of arms, while the movement rejected this demand unless accompanied by a halt to daily Israeli attacks and the beginning of the withdrawal of forces currently controlling more than half of the strip's area.
Political Context
Nikolay Mladjenov, head of the Peace Council, and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair participated in the meetings, amid significant political complexity where Netanyahu sees the 15-point plan facing obstacles due to elections scheduled for October.
The Israeli Prime Minister insisted on continuing targeted assassination policies against Hamas leaders, considering any progress in the current plan a domestic political challenge, reflecting the extreme stances hindering a sustainable peaceful resolution to the conflict.
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