Israel presses doubts about Gaza disarmament plan

Under growing criticism from the Board of Peace, a senior Israeli spokesman says the Gaza disarmament roadmap “does not reflect Israel’s positions.”

“Israel has conveyed its comments and concerns on the proposed framework to our American counterparts,” says Prime Minister’s Office spokesman Doron Spielman. “The version that has been made public does not reflect Israel’s positions.”

The statement indicates that Israel is digging in on its refusal to halt military operations to give space for the disarmament plan to move forward, despite it being a White House priority.

“Over the past eight months, according to Israeli intelligence, Hamas has used the ceasefire to rearm, recruit thousands of additional terrorists, rebuild its military infrastructure, and prepare for further October 7-style massacres,” says Spielman.

He stresses that the first clause in the framework envisions a “deradicalized, terror-free zone that does not pose a threat.”

“That vision stands in direct contrast to the current reality and to Hamas’s stated intentions,” says Spielman.

He calls for the “genuine, verifiable, and irreversible demilitarization of Hamas.”

“Demilitarization means Hamas physically surrendering its weapons,” says Spielman. “Anything short of full demilitarization will leave Hamas with the capability to threaten Israel again.”

The road map calls for Hamas to hand over its heavy weapons to the new Palestinian technocratic government, and for the arms to be stored in the Gaza Strip. It also says Gaza will run under the principle of “one authority, one law, one weapon.”

Gazans will be allowed to keep personal weapons subject to licensing from the new government.