Israel has expressed what it labels as “serious security concerns” to the White House regarding the proposed disarmament deal with Hamas. The remarks mark a significant development following US President Donald Trump’s announcement of the agreement earlier this week. An Israeli official indicated that these comments reflect the nation’s urgent apprehensions as it navigates the implications of the agreement.

The disarmament accord, facilitated by the United States and signed approximately nine months ago, was designed to establish a ceasefire aimed at concluding the nearly three-year conflict between Israel and Hamas. However, significant obstacles remain, particularly differing views on the timeline for Hamas to disarm and the subsequent withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

Doron Spielman, the spokesperson for the Israeli Prime Minister’s office, highlighted that Israel’s intelligence evaluations suggest Hamas is currently concentrating on reinforcing its military capabilities rather than engaging in sincere disarmament efforts. He emphasised that the Israeli military would not consider withdrawing from Gaza, where it currently holds control over more than 60 per cent of the territory, until Hamas has disarmed.

Concerns About Hamas’s Military Activities

Spielman articulated that a premature Israeli redeployment prior to Hamas’s genuine disarmament could lead to a rapid expansion of Hamas’s influence in Gaza. He stressed that without proper disarmament, the group could swiftly reconstruct its military infrastructure and pose a renewed threat to Israeli communities, reminiscent of the events of October 7, 2023, which triggered the ongoing conflict.

His comments came shortly after Hamas announced that it would commence disarmament in accordance with the ceasefire plan. The 20-point proposal outlined by Trump requires Hamas to surrender its weapons and dismantle its tunnel network, while also stipulating an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the establishment of a new technocratic Palestinian government alongside the deployment of an international security force.

Disarmament has emerged as a contentious issue, delaying negotiations for several months. Trump, upon announcing the agreement on social media, noted that its implementation would unfold in “carefully structured phases.” However, the specifics of these phases rely on the timely completion of various preliminary actions.

Details and Implications of the Agreement

The agreement obtained by The Associated Press indicates that the weapons currently held by the Hamas-run police would be transferred to the US-supported Palestinian technocratic committee, identified as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, upon its arrival in the enclave. However, the timeline for these actions remains ambiguous, contingent upon the fulfilment of earlier stipulations.

According to the terms of the agreement, the decommissioning of heavy weaponry, alongside the dismantling of military production sites and tunnels, would not commence until the Palestinian committee is present and international forces are deployed. This process is linked directly to a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

The Israeli-controlled areas of Gaza have faced extensive destruction and depopulation. The majority of the region’s approximately 2 million Palestinians are located in the remaining territories, where hundreds of thousands are displaced and living in makeshift camps and damaged neighbourhoods. Despite the ongoing negotiations, Israel appears reluctant to withdraw significant military personnel ahead of its forthcoming elections.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is navigating a challenging re-election campaign, facing scrutiny over the handling of the October 7 attack. Political pressures from his far-right coalition partners further complicate the situation, as they insist on maintaining a strong posture against Hamas. Spielman stated that while Israel values Trump’s assurance of support, the nation’s stance relies on intelligence suggesting Hamas is continuing to enhance its military capacity.

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