Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel will not retreat from its positions in Gaza until Hamas disarms completely. This declaration, made on Tuesday, raises concerns regarding a recently proposed arrangement by US President Donald Trump. Netanyahu’s comments highlight a rare public divergence between his administration and that of Trump regarding the details of the agreement.

The proposed deal envisioned Hamas beginning the disarmament process while Israel ceased its military operations and gradually withdrew from approximately 60 per cent of Gaza. It stems from a ceasefire established in October, which concluded extensive military actions and facilitated the release of hostages held in Gaza. However, advancement on the various components of the agreement appears to have faltered.

With elections approaching in October, Netanyahu reiterated that disarmament must be the priority. He affirmed that Israeli forces would continue to take necessary measures to safeguard their territory and citizens. In a social media video, he stated, “The Trump administration sent us a draft. We did not agree. It is not our draft. We sent our comments…. This is our position.”

Funeral Observed for Victims of Recent Strikes

Earlier in the day, Palestinians took part in a mass funeral for over 100 individuals whose remains were recovered following a brutal Israeli airstrike in Gaza. On November 22, 2023, warplanes targeted and demolished a residential building in Gaza City’s Sabra neighbourhood, resulting in more than 300 fatalities. Although 40 bodies were retrieved shortly after the attack, many remained buried beneath the debris.

Over the weekend, first responders located the remains of 112 victims, including 40 children, according to reports from the Civil Defence agency, which operates under the Hamas-led Interior Ministry. They also indicated that 157 bodies are still unaccounted for. One bereaved family member, Taysir al-Hassayna, expressed grief during the funeral prayers, stating that it seemed as if the bodies of the missing had “evaporated without a trace.”

This ongoing ceasefire has permitted the retrieval of remains in various sections of Gaza, shedding light on casualties from the conflict’s initial stages. The assault launched by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, led to approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 individuals.

Continuing Violence Amidst Ceasefire

Despite the ceasefire, violence continues to affect the region, with Gaza’s Health Ministry reporting at least 1,252 casualties since the truce’s implementation. According to the ministry, which operates under Hamas, the majority of those deceased are women and children, though a distinction between civilians and militants is not made. Israeli officials assert that their military operations focus on militants who have targeted their soldiers or participated in the earlier attacks.

The ceasefire agreement negotiated in October outlined that Hamas would disarm, Israel would withdraw, and an International Stabilisation Force would be positioned, with an independent Palestinian administration tasked with governance and reconstruction. Israel maintains that progress hinges on Hamas relinquishing its weapons; conversely, Hamas insists that Israel must halt its military actions and initiate a withdrawal.

With accusations of ceasefire violations exchanged between both parties, Gaza remains devastated. Over half of its 2 million inhabitants have been displaced, many now living in overcrowded tent camps characterised by poor sanitary conditions, which have led to rodent infestations and outbreaks of infectious diseases, including chickenpox. Netanyahu’s dismissal of the current drafting has intensified uncertainty regarding the ceasefire’s future while recovery efforts and continued violence continue to plague the area.

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