Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday called for Hamas’s complete expulsion from the region, immediately following a UN Security Council endorsement of President Donald Trump’s plan to end the ongoing conflict. Notably, this plan controversially offers amnesty to members of the Palestinian militant group who commit to peaceful coexistence and lay down their weapons. Consequently, Netanyahu’s latest aggressive remarks suggest key differences persist with the United States regarding the crucial path forward for the devastated area.
Netanyahu previously endorsed the multi-phased initiative during a high-profile White House visit in late September, lending it international credibility. Diplomats now privately indicate that entrenched positions on both the Israeli and Hamas sides have significantly hindered momentum for the plan, which still lacks necessary specific timelines or defined enforcement mechanisms. Still, the proposal has received strong international backing across multiple global platforms despite the ongoing diplomatic difficulties.
Conflict Over Demilitarization
Prime Minister Netanyahu published a series of posts on X responding to the recent UN vote, praising Trump and outlining the Israeli government’s stringent security requirements for any final agreement. In one post, he clearly wrote that Israel believes the plan must lead to peace and prosperity precisely because it calls for the “full demilitarization, disarmament, and deradicalization of Gaza.” He then intensified his demand, stating:
“Israel extends its hand in peace and prosperity to all of our neighbors” and calls on neighbouring countries to “join us in expelling Hamas and its supporters from the region.”
A spokesperson clarified the Prime Minister’s meaning, explaining that expelling Hamas would involve “ensuring there is no Hamas in Gaza as outlined in the 20-point plan, and Hamas has no ability to govern the Palestinian people inside the Gaza Strip.” This statement appears to clash directly with the Trump’s plan, which merely says Hamas must agree to not having any role in Gaza’s governance. Moreover, the plan does not explicitly require the militant group to disband or completely leave the territory.
Palestinian Opposition
Ahead of the UN vote, Netanyahu stated on Sunday that Israel remains adamantly opposed to Palestinian statehood after far-right coalition allies protested a US-backed statement indicating support for a pathway to independence. Furthermore, the Prime Minister opposes any involvement of the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority in future Gaza governance, complicating the possibility of creating a credible path to Palestinian self-determination.
Meanwhile, Hamas also criticized the Security Council resolution, arguing the text failed to “live up to the demands and political and humanitarian rights” of the Palestinian people. Reham Owda, a respected Palestinian political analyst from Gaza, suggested people should view the Hamas statement as an objection intended to negotiate, rather than a full rejection. A businessman displaced in central Gaza, Abu Abdallah, expressed the civilian perspective, saying: “Hamas can’t decide our fate alone, but we also don’t want to get rid of one occupation, Israel, and get another international occupation.”
The ceasefire between the two sides came into effect on October 10 as part of the initial phase of Trump’s ambitious plan.
