Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has broken his silence following major developments involving Iran and Gaza, but avoided directly addressing
Tehran while focusing his message on Israel’s military position and ongoing negotiations with Hamas. In a brief video statement, Netanyahu attempted to reassure Israeli voters that any potential Gaza agreement would not result in a withdrawal of Israeli forces or a compromise on Israel’s security demands. His remarks came as the United States pushes for progress on a ceasefire framework that includes Hamas disarmament and a gradual reduction of Israeli military operations. “We are not withdrawing from our current positions until Hamas is completely disarmed,” Netanyahu said. He added that Israeli forces would continue taking necessary measures to protect troops, Israeli territory and civilians. Netanyahu Pushes Back Against Gaza Deal Concerns Netanyahu’s comments were directed largely at domestic audiences, particularly ahead of Israel’s general election scheduled for October. The Israeli leader has faced pressure from both supporters who oppose concessions to Hamas and international partners seeking an end to the conflict. The remarks followed US President Donald Trump’s announcement that Hamas had committed to a framework involving the surrender of weapons and a transition towards a different governing structure in Gaza. The announcement sparked debate in Israel, with critics warning against premature concessions and supporters of negotiations calling for a diplomatic path to end the fighting. Netanyahu sought to downplay expectations of an immediate agreement, saying discussions with Washington were still ongoing. “President Trump and his team believe they can bring about Hamas’ disarmament and the demilitarisation of Gaza. We are examining it. They sent us a draft. We have not agreed to anything. We have sent them our comments,” he said. US Pushes for Ceasefire Progress The Israeli prime minister’s remarks came after officials linked to Trump’s peace initiative held discussions with Israeli leadership in an effort to move the Gaza roadmap forward. Representatives from the US-backed Board of Peace reportedly urged Netanyahu to support the next phase of negotiations, including steps involving Hamas disarmament, a partial Israeli troop withdrawal and a reduction in air operations. Following those talks, Israeli military activity in Gaza reportedly decreased, with only limited strikes reported compared with previous days. Israel Adjusts Military Operations An Israeli source said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been instructed to focus operations in Gaza on immediate security threats. The source added that targeted killings now require approval from the military chief of staff, a higher level of authorisation than previously required. The change comes as diplomatic efforts intensify and Washington seeks to prevent further escalation while maintaining pressure on Hamas to disarm. Netanyahu Remains Silent on Iran Despite the broader regional developments, Netanyahu did not address Iran in his public remarks. His silence came after Trump reportedly halted plans for a major strike on Iranian targets and amid wider efforts to reduce tensions in the region. The US and its allies have been engaged in diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing further confrontation with Tehran. By focusing solely on Gaza, Netanyahu appeared to signal that Israel’s immediate priority remains securing guarantees over Hamas’ future role and ensuring that any agreement does not weaken Israeli security objectives. Political Balancing Act Netanyahu’s position reflects the challenge of balancing pressure from Washington with domestic political expectations. While the US administration is pushing for a diplomatic breakthrough, Netanyahu has repeatedly insisted that Hamas must be completely dismantled militarily before Israel makes significant withdrawals. The coming weeks are expected to determine whether the proposed Gaza roadmap can move from negotiations to implementation, or whether disagreements over security guarantees and sequencing will delay progress.
