Netanyahu rejects BoP Gaza withdrawal plan until Hamas disarms, turns down White House draft

We will not pull back from the current positions until Hamas gives up all weapons, Netanyahu stated in the video, noting that we will let IDF forces do all that is needed to defend themselves.

IDF Armor Brigade 7 soldiers operate in Gaza on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

(photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT)

ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

AUGUST 5, 2026 08:15

Updated: AUGUST 5, 2026 08:40

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu turned down the idea of an early Israeli pullout from its current stances in Gaza via a video posted to his Facebook page on Tuesday.

We will not pull back from the present positions until Hamas surrenders every weapon, Netanyahu stated in the video.

He further noted that we will permit IDF soldiers to take all actions required to safeguard themselves, defend our land, and shield our people.

Netanyahu also mentioned that the White House had forwarded Israel a draft proposal on disarming Hamas, but clarified that Israel had rejected it and returned it with remarks.

Netanyahu meets with Board of Peace Representative for Gaza Mladenov

Board of Peace Director-General and High Representative for Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov, met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and requested that all IDF strikes against Hamas in Gaza stop so a 14-day ceasefire aimed at starting the demilitarization of Hamas can begin, sources familiar with the matter told The Jerusalem Post on Monday.

The meeting between Netanyahu and Mladenov had been productive and thorough, the BoP wrote on X, adding that both parties share a common understanding of the ultimate objective in Gaza.

The BoP stated that the objective is the complete decommissioning of weapons in the Gaza Strip and the transition away from rule by the gun to civilian governance.

The IDF withdrawal from Gaza would only take place once all weapons and military infrastructure, including light weapons, heavy weapons, and tunnels, in Gaza are decommissioned, the BoP said.

Prior to the prime minister meeting with Mladenov and subsequent reiteration that Hamas must be completely disarmed as a precondition for any withdrawal process, Israel turned down the BoP request last week for the removal of IDF forces from the Gaza Strip.

Amichai Stein and Idan Kweller contributed to this report.