Palestinian group Hamas has agreed to hand over its weaponry in Gaza under a disarmament agreement that stipulates an Israeli military withdrawal and a gradual transition of power to a Palestinian administration, according to the sources. The terms have sparked sharp political divisions inside Israel ahead of upcoming elections, with far-right cabinet members condemning the pact while analysts warn Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces intense pressure to balance domestic coalition survival with US expectations.
Israeli Political Reaction to the Gaza Disarmament Deal
The disarmament agreement has drawn fierce opposition across the Israeli political spectrum. Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir denounced the terms on social media as unacceptable, writing that stopping the assassination of Hamas leaders amounts to agreeing to future attacks, according to his public statements. Centrist politicians expressed similar skepticism; Gadi Eisenkot, a former military chief and rival to Netanyahu, called any deal that stops short of completely destroying Hamas’s military and political power a total failure.
Public sentiment among Jewish Israelis largely reflects these hardline views following the October 7, 2023, attacks. A May poll indicated that 82 percent of Jewish Israeli respondents supported the forcible expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza, while a subsequent survey in June revealed that 64 percent believed there were no innocents among the population in the enclave, according to published polling data.
Did you know? Polling conducted in mid-2023 showed deep polarization over the future governance of Gaza, with majorities of surveyed Jewish Israelis supporting measures such as displacement and opposition to near-term Palestinian self-rule.
Netanyahu’s Electoral Calculus and US Pressure
Prime Minister Netanyahu has not yet officially commented on the disarmament framework. However, US-Israeli pollster and consultant Dahlia Scheindlin noted that Netanyahu’s response will be driven primarily by his political survival ahead of upcoming elections and the demands of his far-right coalition partners, rather than public trauma from the war. Avoiding a prison sentence on ongoing corruption charges depends heavily on his electoral performance, according to political analysis.
At the same time, Netanyahu must navigate pressure from Washington. An anonymous US official stated that President Donald Trump would be very disappointed if Israel failed to adhere to the agreement. UCLA professor of Israel studies Dov Waxman observed that Netanyahu risks angering Trump—whose support the prime minister may rely on for political leverage or normalization deals—if he openly criticizes the accord.
Prospects for Military Withdrawal and Escalation
Despite American backing for the deal, senior Israeli officials have pushed back against immediate changes on the ground. An unnamed senior Israeli official told reporters that there would be no withdrawal from current military positions inside Gaza prior to what the government defines as the genuine disarmament of Hamas. Nimrod Goren, founder of Mitvim – The Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies, suggested that Netanyahu might enact symbolic troop movements to satisfy Washington optics while avoiding a strategic retreat that contradicts his core political worldview.
As political campaigns ramp up, analysts suggest that the dynamic between maintaining the vital US security umbrella and satisfying a right-wing domestic base will shape Israel’s next steps in the enclave. The Israeli military has killed more than 1,200 Palestinians and expanded territorial control since a previous ceasefire framework in October 2025, leaving the implementation of any new international agreement deeply uncertain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main terms of the Gaza disarmament agreement?
The agreement involves Hamas handing over its weaponry in Gaza, a withdrawal of Israeli forces from the enclave, and a gradual transfer of power to a Palestinian administration.
How have Israeli politicians responded to the deal?
Far-right ministers like Itamar Ben-Gvir have denounced the pact as unacceptable, while centrist figures like Gadi Eisenkot have criticized it for failing to completely destroy Hamas’s military capabilities.
What position has the United States taken on the agreement?
President Donald Trump has expressed support for the deal, with US officials indicating that Washington expects Israeli adherence to the disarmament and withdrawal terms.
What are your thoughts on the unfolding political situation in Israel and the prospects for Gaza’s disarmament? Leave a comment below or subscribe to our newsletter for ongoing updates.