US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday said Israel will not withdraw its troops from the current positions in Gaza until Hamas is completely disarmed. His remarks came in response to a recent U.S.-backed proposal announced by President Donald Trump and highlighted differences between the Israeli government and the Trump administration over the path to ending the war.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: Netanyahu Rejects Trump-Backed Gaza Proposal
Speaking in a video shared on social media, Netanyahu made it clear that Israel does not support the draft agreement proposed by the United States. The proposal reportedly called for Hamas to begin disarming, while Israel would stop military strikes and gradually withdraw from nearly 60% of the Gaza Strip currently under its control. However, Netanyahu insisted that Hamas must first give up all of its weapons before any Israeli withdrawal can take place. He also stressed that Israeli forces would continue to do whatever is necessary to protect themselves, our territory, and our citizens.
Referring to the US proposal, Netanyahu said, “The Trump administration sent us a draft. We did not agree. It is not our draft. We sent our comments. … This is our position.” His comments have raised fresh doubts about the future of the proposed agreement, which had been viewed as a possible step toward bringing the conflict closer to an end.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: Ceasefire Agreement Faces New Challenges
The proposed deal was based on the ceasefire agreement reached in October, which ended major military operations and secured the release of the remaining hostages held in Gaza. Under the latest proposal, Hamas was expected to begin disarming while Israeli forces would suspend military operations and withdraw from large parts of Gaza. However, disagreements over the order of these steps have stalled progress.
Israel maintains that Hamas must completely disarm before any military withdrawal begins. Hamas, on the other hand, argues that Israel must first stop its attacks and pull back its forces before discussing disarmament. Both sides continue to accuse each other of violating the ceasefire.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: Netanyahu Faces Political Pressure Ahead of Elections
Netanyahu’s position also comes as he prepares for a difficult re-election campaign scheduled for October. His government has consistently maintained that Israel’s security remains the top priority and that military operations will continue until Hamas no longer poses a threat.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: Mass Funeral Held for Victims of 2023 Gaza Strike
Earlier on Tuesday, Palestinians held a large funeral ceremony for more than 100 victims whose bodies were recently recovered from the ruins of an Israeli airstrike carried out in November 2023. The strike destroyed an entire residential block in Gaza City’s Sabra neighbourhood on November 22, 2023, killing more than 300 people during the early weeks of the war.
Immediately after the attack, rescue workers managed to recover around 40 bodies using basic tools and their bare hands. However, many victims remained trapped beneath the collapsed buildings for nearly three years.
During recovery operations over the weekend, rescue teams retrieved the remains of 112 additional victims, including 40 children, according to Gaza’s Civil Defense agency. Officials said another 157 bodies are still believed to be buried beneath the rubble.
Speaking after the funeral prayers, victim’s relative Taysir al-Hassayna said, “The only crime of these martyrs was that they remained steadfast and resilient in their homes, believing that these homes would protect them.” He added that for those still missing, “as if their bodies had evaporated without a trace.”
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: Ceasefire Allows Recovery of Missing Victims
The current ceasefire has made it possible for rescue workers to enter previously inaccessible areas and recover the remains of people killed during the war’s early stages. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 73,377 Palestinians since the war began, including deaths recorded after the ceasefire came into effect.
The conflict started after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage. Health Ministry official Zaher al-Waheidi said at least 7,400 people are still officially listed as missing beneath the rubble. He noted that the actual figure could be much higher because many entire families were killed, leaving no one behind to report those missing. The victims buried on Tuesday belonged mainly to the Hassayna and Abu Sharia families, two of the many extended families that suffered devastating losses during the conflict.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: Casualties Continue Despite Ceasefire
Although a ceasefire remains in place, violence has not completely stopped. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 1,252 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire took effect. The ministry says women and children account for the majority of the fatalities, although it does not separately identify civilians and militants. Israel maintains that its military operations target militants who threaten Israeli troops, participated in the October 7 attack, or violate ceasefire conditions. Since the truce began, five Israeli soldiers have also been killed.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: Gaza Reconstruction Remains Uncertain
The U.S.-supported ceasefire framework proposed the deployment of an International Stabilization Force, the disarmament of Hamas, Israel’s military withdrawal, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian administration to oversee governance and reconstruction. However, disagreements between Israel and Hamas over the sequence of these measures have prevented meaningful progress. Meanwhile, Gaza remains heavily devastated. Most of its population of around two million people has been displaced and continues to live in overcrowded tent camps. Aid agencies have warned that poor sanitation, rodent infestations, and outbreaks of infectious diseases, including chickenpox, continue to worsen the humanitarian crisis.
