US Commits to Prevent Netanyahu from Undermining Hamas Disarmament Deal, Saudi Report Says

A Saudi news channel reported on July 31 that Washington has pledged directly to Hamas not to allow Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to sabotage a disarmament agreement and will compel him to withdraw Israeli forces from Gaza and implement the deal. The report came amid US President Donald Trump's announcement that a peace council had reached an agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas, alongside the release of a roadmap for Gaza's future.

Despite these declarations, voices from both Israel and Hamas expressed skepticism about progress. Hamas issued a statement emphasizing that Israel must first cease hostilities and withdraw from Gaza before any disarmament steps occur. Senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad told Al Jazeera that Hamas would not take any disarmament action before Israel's withdrawal, stressing that the disarmament process would be managed by a national committee in Gaza without Israeli interference.

In Israel, reports from CNN indicated that Netanyahu would not publicly oppose the disarmament agreement but would not authorize a military withdrawal before the October 27 elections. A political source clarified that no Israeli withdrawal would happen without genuine Hamas disarmament. Israeli officials reiterated that no retreat from current positions would occur without Hamas fully disarming.

The conflicting statements highlight the complexities surrounding the implementation of the US-brokered agreement, with Washington assuring Hamas of its backing while Netanyahu appears cautious about advancing withdrawal before elections.