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 that the US will enforce Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and ensure the deal's implementation. This report came amid US President Donald Trump's announcement that a peace council had reached a comprehensive agreement to fully disarm Hamas, alongside the release of a roadmap for Gaza's future.

Despite the Saudi report and Trump's declarations, voices from both Israel and Hamas express 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 Azzam al-Hamad told Al Jazeera that Hamas will not take any action toward disarming before Israel's withdrawal and that the disarmament process will be overseen by a national committee managing Gaza's affairs.

In Israel, reports from CNN indicate that Netanyahu will not publicly oppose the disarmament agreement but will not authorize Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza before the October 27 elections. A political source stressed that no Israeli withdrawal will happen without genuine Hamas disarmament. Israel reiterated it will not retreat from its current security stance without verified dismantling of Hamas's weapons.

The conflicting statements highlight the complexities surrounding the proposed peace deal and the challenges in achieving mutual trust and implementation on the ground.