A US-backed proposal for a three-year roadmap to disarm Hamas in Gaza has drawn a firm response from an Israeli official: troops will not pull back without genuine disarmament by the Palestinian group.
Under the plan, Hamas and Israel would have 14 days to finalise Gaza's political transition. The core of the proposal is an exchange—Hamas gives up its weapons, and Israel withdraws its forces from the territory.
President Donald Trump insisted Israel is very happy with the proposal, according to BBC. The Israeli official, speaking to the broadcaster, said any withdrawal depends on real disarmament.
The proposal, reported by Al Jazeera, is backed by the US and sets a three-year timeline. It would begin with the 14-day political transition, which is seen as a critical first step toward implementing the broader roadmap.
While Trump expressed confidence in the plan, the Israeli official's comments highlight a potential sticking point: what constitutes genuine disarmament. The proposal offers Hamas a path to retain a role in Gaza's political future, but only after it gives up its weapons.