Deal Links Hamas Disarmament To Israeli Pullback — The announced agreement ties a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza to verifiable disarmament by Hamas. Strong Domestic Opposition — Polls and statements from both far-right and centrist politicians show broad scepticism or hostility toward any deal that falls short of dismantling Hamas. Political Reality — With an election looming and coalition pressures high, analysts say symbolic troop movements to placate US expectations are more likely than a full, substantive withdrawal.
Hamas Agrees to Disarm — Will Israel Really Withdraw From Gaza?
Former Israeli chief of staff and Netanyahu rival Gadi Eisenkot has called any agreement that stops short of Hamas's destruction a 'total failure' [File: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters]
US President Donald Trump hailed an agreement reportedly under which Hamas would disarm and Israel would begin a phased withdrawal from Gaza. The terms tying Palestinian disarmament to an Israeli pullback have provoked a sharp and often hostile response across Israel's political spectrum, leaving the deal's implementation in doubt.
What the Deal Says
The announced disarmament deal links a staged Israeli withdrawal from Gaza with Hamas's relinquishing of weapons and a gradual transfer of authority to a Palestinian administration. While the White House framed the announcement as a diplomatic breakthrough, Israeli officials say any movement will depend on verifiable, "genuine disarmament" of Hamas.
Political And Public Reaction In Israel
Many Israeli leaders and large segments of the public remain deeply sceptical. Hard-line politicians have condemned the proposal, arguing it stops short of the war aims they insist on — most prominently the dismantling of Hamas's military and political capabilities.
Itamar Ben-Gvir (National Security Minister): "Unacceptable — the assassinations in Gaza must continue, the encouragement of emigration must happen. Israel must win."
Ben-Gvir's reference to "encouragement of emigration" is widely interpreted as advocating policies that amount to forced displacement. Centrist figures, too, have criticised the deal; former chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot called any agreement that does not eliminate Hamas's military and political power "a total failure."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives at the White House in Washington earlier this week [Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters]
Polls And Public Sentiment
Recent polls cited in reporting show strong support among many Jewish Israelis for punitive measures: a May survey reported 82% backing the forcible expulsion of Palestinians from homes in Gaza, and the same poll found 56% supported expelling Palestinian citizens of Israel from their homes. A later poll indicated 64% of respondents believed there were "no innocents" among Gaza's Palestinians. These figures illustrate the scale of popular resistance to concessions.
Netanyahu's Political Calculus
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not publicly committed to the deal. Analysts say the looming election and Netanyahu's legal troubles raise the political cost of any move perceived as a concession to Hamas. US-Israeli pollster Dahlia Scheindlin and scholars such as Dov Waxman argue Netanyahu will prioritize keeping his right-wing coalition intact — likely favouring symbolic troop movements rather than a substantive withdrawal.
US Expectations And International Pressure
Washington appears invested in seeing the terms implemented. An anonymous US official warned that President Trump would be "very, very disappointed" if Israel failed to adhere to the agreement. Israeli leaders thus face a delicate balancing act between domestic political pressures and managing relations with the United States.
What Might Happen Next?
Analysts predict the most likely outcomes are limited, symbolic repositioning of Israeli forces inside Gaza to satisfy US optics, continued political pushback from hard-right coalition partners, or renewed escalation if trust in the disarmament process collapses. As Nimrod Goren of Mitvim put it, Netanyahu may deliver ceremony and optics for Washington without a substantive withdrawal, given his long-standing view that Israel must project presence where threats may emerge.
Note on Casualty Figures: The article referenced reports that describe the Gaza campaign as causing extensive casualties and devastation; those figures and characterisations are reported by various sources and remain politically and legally contested.
Help us improve.
