Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they had rejected the 15-point roadmap for the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, making Hamas’s complete disarmament a condition for withdrawal.
Speaking at the opening of the weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said the Israeli army would not withdraw from the areas it occupies in the Gaza Strip before Hamas lays down its weapons. He said disarmament meant all weapons, including heavy and light arms, and stressed that it must be genuine rather than merely symbolic.
Disarmament talks with Washington
Netanyahu said they were holding talks with the US administration on disarming Hamas, adding that some of Washington’s proposals were acceptable to Israel while others were not.
Netanyahu said he considered US President Donald Trump one of his friends at the White House and argued that Israel could take a stand even against its closest friends when its security was at stake.
Iran and Lebanon
Speaking about Iran, Netanyahu argued that Iran would not be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon as long as he remained prime minister.
Netanyahu also addressed ongoing Israeli army attacks in southern Lebanon despite the ceasefire. He alleged that the Israeli army was carrying out attacks in the area and targeting Hezbollah members at Ali Tahir Hill in Nabatieh Governorate.
Statements by the parties on the second phase
Nikolay Mladenov, the High Representative of the Gaza Peace Board, had announced that Hamas had accepted a detailed roadmap for implementing the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.
US President Donald Trump had also announced that the Peace Board had reached an agreement with Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza on laying down their weapons.
Hamas said it was receptive, together with Palestinian groups, to the negotiation process and the mediators’ proposals for completing the second phase. The group identified an end to Israeli attacks and the preparation of a timetable for agreed issues as its main conditions.
Hamas had also linked implementation of the second phase to Israel’s full fulfillment of its obligations under the first phase of the ceasefire. The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza had announced that it had completed its institutional and operational preparations to take over the administration of the Gaza Strip.
The first phase of the ceasefire and ongoing attacks
The first phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip had taken effect on October 10, 2025. This phase provided for a prisoner exchange as well as increased humanitarian aid deliveries.
Nevertheless, Israeli attacks and restrictions on aid entering Gaza continued.
