Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Gaza will not be rebuilt unless it is fully disarmed, clarifying that Israel plans to control the territory’s future and violating Trump’s declared ceasefire. He made the comments at a press conference on Tuesday following months of heavy Israeli bombardment of the enclave.
Netanyahu asserted that reconstruction will not occur before disarmament, rejecting proposals to deploy international forces in Gaza. “I hear that Turkish and Qatari soldiers will be brought into Gaza. This too will not happen,” he said.
He also dismissed any possibility of establishing a Palestinian state in Gaza, adding: “I hear that I will allow the establishment of a Palestinian state in Gaza. This did not happen, and it will not happen.”
During the same address, Netanyahu said Israel is focused on disarming Hamas across Gaza, emphasizing that the goal would be achieved “the easy way or the hard way,” according to his words.
Hamas political bureau member Suhail al-Hindi responded to the statements, saying the issue of weapons is a Palestinian national decision tied to ongoing Israeli occupation. In an interview with Al Jazeera Mubasher, al-Hindi said he watched part of Netanyahu’s remarks, describing them as misleading and portraying the Israeli army as moral and humanitarian.
Al-Hindi emphasized that this portrayal is detached from reality, asserting that weapons cannot be separated from the occupation. He stated the decision involves all Palestinian factions and the people. He added that as long as the occupation continues on Palestinian land, resistance remains inevitable.
He noted that any remaining weapons, if present, are personal and for self-defense—similar to arms kept in homes worldwide—especially since Gaza still suffers from criminal gangs created by Israel.
Al-Hindi said Israel is violating the agreement, pointing to ongoing killings, closed crossings, and the failure to implement the humanitarian protocol. He stated that 503 Palestinians have been martyred since the agreement was signed, with more than 325 injured.
He concluded that the resistance’s commitment does not indicate weakness, affirming that the Palestinian people will not raise the white flag or surrender and that they refuse to be broken or silenced.
