Hamas conditions disarmament on Israeli withdrawal as strikes continue
Palestinian negotiators said the group will not implement the US-brokered disarmament agreement unless Israel halts attacks and withdraws troops, while Netanyahu's office insists forces will remain until Hamas is fully disarmed.
Why it mattersPresident Trump announced the disarmament agreement on 30 July as a historic breakthrough into the second phase of the October 2025 ceasefire. But the fundamental sequencing dispute—whether Israel withdraws before or after Hamas disarms—threatens to collapse the deal before implementation begins.
The big pictureIsraeli strikes killed at least seven Palestinians on 1 August, including attacks on medicine warehouses beside a hospital. More than 1,200 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire technically took effect on 10 October 2025. The Board of Peace, established by Trump to oversee Gaza reconstruction, said Israeli withdrawal will only occur after disarmament is complete.
The catchFinance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the agreement was completely different to the version the Israeli government approved and demanded a new vote immediately. Hamas negotiator Ghazi Hamad told Al Jazeera the group will not implement the deal unless Israel fulfils its obligations, which include halting attacks and withdrawing troops.
- Trump announcement: The US president declared a historic agreement for Hamas disarmament on 30 July 2026.
- Ceasefire violations: Israel has killed more than 1,200 Palestinians since the ceasefire began on 10 October 2025.
- Warehouse strike: Israeli forces destroyed a medical supply warehouse in Deir el-Balah on 1 August 2026.