Israel Tells US Public Version of Gaza Framework 'Does Not Reflect' Its Positions as Strikes Continue
The Facts
- Doron Spielman, spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, said Israel has conveyed its comments and concerns about the proposed framework to US counterparts and that the version made public does not reflect Israel's positions.
- Spielman said Israel's intelligence assessment is that Hamas has been rearming and recruiting forces, and that Israeli troops would not withdraw from Gaza before Hamas is disarmed.
- Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza for a second consecutive day on Sunday, striking Gaza City in the north, Deir al-Balah in the centre and the Khan Younis area in the south.
- Palestinian health officials and medics said at least 18 people were killed in Sunday's strikes, including children, describing it as the highest daily death toll in weeks; other tallies cited that day ranged from 13 reported by Gaza's civil defence to more than 19 claimed by Hamas.
- Hamas announced on Friday that it accepted the next stage of the deal, which includes handing over weapons, but Israel has not officially endorsed the agreement.
- Trump said on Thursday that Hamas and other armed Palestinian groups had agreed to disarm; a roadmap published by the Board of Peace states Israel is committed to the Sharm el-Sheikh Protocol, including a cessation of military operations.
- Hamas said the Israeli escalation was aimed at obstructing the understandings reached with mediators, including the US administration, on completing implementation of the ceasefire agreement.
- A ceasefire announced by Trump in October 2025 reduced the level of violence in Gaza, but Israeli strikes have continued, and the outlook for the truce remains uncertain as the two sides differ over implementation.
Context
What does the proposed framework ask each side to do?
The plan announced by Trump covers what sources describe as the "total disarmament" of Hamas, with the group handing over weapons, alongside a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza Dawn,Portafolio.co,La Razón. A roadmap published by the Board of Peace says Israel is committed to the Sharm el-Sheikh Protocol, particularly the cessation of military operations Público.es,Metro. Israel says it wants full, verifiable demilitarisation before pulling back forces Straits Times,Times LIVE.
What have Israeli officials said about halting attacks?
Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen, a member of Netanyahu's security cabinet, told Israel's Army Radio on Sunday that there had been no deal to halt attacks on Gaza and that he was "very sceptical" Hamas would disarm, adding that Israel — which he said already controls 70% of the enclave — should take full control if Hamas does not disarm ThePrint,Post and Courier. Spielman separately said the military controls more than 60% of the territory and would not redeploy before Hamas is disarmed Times LIVE.
Who is mediating and what happens next?
Egyptian sources said Cairo has stepped up contacts with the parties to advance implementation of the understandings on the next phase of the ceasefire, and that a meeting of the mediators would be held soon in Cairo to reaffirm commitments Middle East Monitor. Hamas says the understandings were reached with mediators including the US administration Saudi Gazette.
Where Left and Right agree, and where they split
- Where Left and Right agree
- Israel has endorsed nothing: Netanyahu's office says the published framework doesn't reflect its positions, and both reads treat the sequencing dispute and the continued strikes as real, unresolved facts.
- Where Left and Right split
- Children killed under a roadmap that commits Israel to ceasing operations, or a state declining to withdraw before a rearming Hamas is verifiably disarmed.
How left and right read it
Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza City, Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis for a second straight day, killing at least 18 people, children among them, while Netanyahu's office told Washington the published framework does not reflect Israel's positions. A roadmap that commits Israel to a cessation of military operations is being tested against bombs falling on families who have no seat at that table. Whatever the disagreement over sequencing, the strikes should stop first.
Israel's own intelligence assessment is that Hamas has been rearming and recruiting — and Netanyahu's office says the framework made public does not reflect Israel's positions. That is what sovereignty means: the state that bears the risk gets to judge the terms before its troops leave. Hamas says it accepted a stage that includes handing over weapons; Israel has endorsed nothing. Disarmament verified first, then withdrawal. Who bears the cost if that sequence is reversed?
“Promises on paper cannot protect Israeli civilians, prevent Hamas from rebuilding, or ensure that another Oct. 7, 2023, never occurs.” — Washington Examiner
The receipts — all 58 sources
Wire services (2)
Independent coverage (50)
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