Israelis are approaching a U.S.-supported proposal with skepticism, as it suggests Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza only after Hamas has completely disarmed.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed essential aspects of the framework, emphasizing that Israel’s military “will not execute any withdrawal until Hamas is fully disarmed,” despite ongoing discussions with Washington.
The proposal has elicited varied responses among Israelis, especially from those directly impacted by the events of October 7.
Shlomo Margalit, a resident of Kibbutz Nir Oz, stated: “I want to ensure that the events of October 7th never happen again. However, there’s always a slight possibility they could recur, so we must find ways to monitor and understand every minor action taken by Hamas. It’s important for us to stay informed about their activities in order to turn these situations to our advantage and maintain an optimistic outlook.”
Some people are still skeptical about the plan’s potential for success.
Bruce Schonefeld, a resident of Tel Aviv, expressed skepticism by saying: “It sounds appealing but is ultimately unrealistic. In my view, President Trump wants to claim he’s achieved peace in Gaza; however, it’s evident that Hamas will not disarm. Without their disarmament, Israel isn’t going anywhere… Therefore, true peace won’t be possible until Hamas is no longer present in Gaza.”
Israel presently controls a significant portion of Gaza, where extensive destruction is evident throughout the area. Hamas asserts its continued commitment to the proposed roadmap and anticipates that mediators, along with the United States, will urge Israel to advance with the agreement.
