Netanyahu Says Gaza Reconstruction Will Not Move Forward Until Hamas Is Fully Disarmed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Sunday during a cabinet meeting that Israel will not allow the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip until Hamas has been completely disarmed.

"There will be no reconstruction in Gaza without dismantling Hamas and demilitarizing the Strip," Netanyahu said. "The people of Gaza should have freedom of choice. Those who want to leave should be able to do so, and those who remain cannot pose a threat to us. There is now a new Gaza envelope, inside Gaza itself."

According to Netanyahu, Israel will continue to maintain security zones inside the Gaza Strip as part of its effort to prevent future threats to communities in southern Israel.

The prime minister made the remarks amid ongoing discussions over the future governance of Gaza after the war. Among the key issues under debate are the disarmament of Hamas, the establishment of a civilian governing authority, and plans for the territory's reconstruction.

Netanyahu emphasized that "the areas held by Israel inside the Gaza Strip are intended to keep threats away from Israel's border, similar to the security policy Israel implements along the Lebanese and Syrian fronts."

Later in the cabinet meeting, Netanyahu addressed reports claiming that U.S. President Donald Trump had asked Israel to refrain from taking action against terrorist tunnels in Lebanon.

"I heard reports in the media claiming that President Trump asked us not to operate against terror tunnels in Lebanon. That is a myth. It is fake news," Netanyahu said. "He never said any such thing to me, and I never asked him about it. We act according to our own considerations."

Earlier in the day, during an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu discussed his relationship with President Trump.

"President Trump is the leader of the United States and acts in America's interests, while I am the leader of Israel and act in Israel's interests," he said.

Addressing speculation about tensions between the two leaders, Netanyahu added, "I do not believe there is any rift between us. America calls us its model ally because, unlike many other allies, we fight alongside it. Our soldiers have fought shoulder to shoulder. Israel has no better ally than the United States, and the United States has no better ally than Israel. Ninety nine percent of the time, President Trump and I see eye to eye. As in any friendship, there are occasional disagreements, but we discuss them openly and resolve them."