Israeli PM Netanyahu said that Hamas will be disarmed at any cost and Gaza will be demilitarized. He reiterated his opposition to Palestinian statehood. Right-wing ministers expressed displeasure over Trump’s peace plan and threatened to break the alliance.
Israel Hamas War Latest Update: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Sunday that Hamas will be forced to lay down its arms, whether by easy or very difficult means. “Our opposition to Palestinian statehood in any area has not changed. Gaza will be demilitarized and Hamas will also be disarmed,” Netanyahu said at the weekly cabinet meeting.
Netanyahu’s statement came before voting on the resolution supporting UN peace plan
This statement of Israeli PM Netanyahu came a day before the United Nations Security Council voted on the resolution supporting US President Donald Trump’s peace plan. Under the plan, a “peace board” would be formed in Gaza to consider issues including post-war reconstruction and economic recovery.
Hamas will be disarmed at any cost
Commenting on the alleged de-militarization of Hamas-controlled parts of Gaza, Netanyahu said that no such thing would happen. Trump’s 20-step ceasefire plan calls for a commitment to the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and the disarmament of Hamas. Netanyahu further said, Gaza will be demilitarized and Hamas will be disarmed (without weapons), whether the way is easy or hard. This is what I have said and this is what President Trump has also said.
There will always be opposition to Palestine west of the Jordan River
Regarding Palestinian statehood, Netanyahu said, “Our opposition to a Palestinian state west of the Jordan River remains and has not changed in the slightest.” Netanyahu added, “I have been opposing these efforts for many years.
Netanyahu facing opposition from right wing leaders
Trump’s 20-point plan includes a clause that states that if there are reforms in the Palestinian Authority, favorable conditions can be created for Palestinian statehood, and we also believe that this is the desire of the Palestinians. This has angered Israel’s right-wing leaders. On Saturday, right-wing Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich called on Netanyahu to condemn the idea of a Palestinian state. Ben-Gvir also threatened to leave the coalition if Prime Minister Netanyahu does not take action. If right-wing parties leave the coalition, Netanyahu’s right-wing government may fall prematurely (October 2026). Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also issued statements against Palestinian statehood on Sunday.