Israel Commits to No Withdrawal from Gaza Until Hamas Fully Disarms

Israel and the Quartet on the Middle East have agreed that the Israel Defense Forces will not redeploy outside the Gaza Strip until Hamas is completely disarmed and the entire territory is demilitarized. This agreement was reached following a four-hour meeting on Monday between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump's envoy Jared Kushner, and Nikolay Mladenov, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process. Afterward, Kushner and Mladenov met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

A senior official from the Quartet clarified that no Israeli military repositioning will occur until all Hamas weapons, including light and heavy arms and tunnels, are dismantled and removed. The agreement also preserves Israel's right to act if Hamas resumes terrorism, violence, or attempts to rearm. The Quartet's official statement emphasized ongoing deep discussions on implementing the 20-point peace plan proposed by President Trump.

The disarmament will involve collecting and completely destroying all weapons to prevent reuse. Israeli sources confirmed that the US has accepted Israel's red lines regarding Gaza. The Quartet updated Netanyahu that Hamas has committed to fully disarm and immediately cease all military activities, including rearming and tunnel digging. Israel will maintain its full right to self-defense if Hamas violates these terms.

Netanyahu affirmed Israel's intention to honor previous commitments that have yet to be fulfilled, which have helped secure the release of all living hostages and the remains of fallen soldiers. Earlier, a source told CNN that Kushner urged Netanyahu not to obstruct Trump's Gaza plan, while Netanyahu expressed concerns about progress due to Israel's upcoming elections.

Two joint working groups will be established immediately: one focused on security, disarmament, and demilitarization, and the other on basic needs such as sanitation, clean water, and public health. The Prime Minister's Office stated that the disarmament and demilitarization process must be swift and completed before any reconstruction efforts in Gaza begin. A Quartet official described the meeting as "long, deep, and very productive," with consensus reached on the path forward. The parties, supported by President Trump, share the goal of a fully demilitarized Gaza free of radicalization, posing no threat to Israel, where residents can pursue prosperity and dignity through peaceful means.