Israel Insists on Hamas Disarmament Before Any Withdrawal from Gaza Buffer Zone

A senior Israeli official clarified that Israel will not retreat from the 'yellow line' buffer zone in Gaza before Hamas is fully disarmed. This statement comes amid reports of progress in negotiations for a new arrangement in the Gaza Strip. The official emphasized that the complete dismantling of Hamas's military capabilities and the full demilitarization of Gaza are fundamental prerequisites for any political or security agreement.

The issue of Gaza did not arise during the recent meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump, according to the official. Israel demands the removal of all weapons from Gaza and the dismantling of Hamas's military infrastructure as a baseline condition for any future framework.

Recent reports suggested a potential deal involving the handing over and storage of weapons under an agreed mechanism, exposure of tunnel locations, and international supervision of the agreement's implementation. While Israeli sources viewed the direction as positive, no final agreement has been reached.

The official also noted that the "15-point document" central to current discussions does not adequately address Israel's core demands regarding Hamas's disarmament. Jerusalem has already submitted its reservations to international envoy Tony Blair, making clear it will not accept any plan that does not guarantee Gaza's full demilitarization.