Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Hamas disarmament agreed, yet Israel refuses Gaza withdrawal
There is a big disagreement about a war in a place called Gaza.
The group called Hamas has said it will give up its weapons.
The leader of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, says his soldiers will not leave Gaza until Hamas gives up all its weapons.
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, said the agreement to give up weapons was a big deal.
But Israel still started dropping bombs again.
Netanyahu has an election coming up soon, and he wants to look strong to voters.
Some people think he is using the war to help himself win.
Other countries like Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar are trying to help the two sides talk.
Many people have been hurt in this war, and everyone wants it to stop.
But it is very hard for the two sides to agree, and the fighting continues.
Hamas agreed to disarm as part of a 15-point peace plan for Gaza announced in July, which also included provisions for returning Palestinian detainees and creating a temporary International Stabilisation Force.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the IDF will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is disarmed, and Israel resumed drone strikes on the region in the following days.
US President Donald Trump, who chairs the Board of Peace, called the disarmament agreement 'historic' and thanked mediators Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar.
Netanyahu faces Israeli legislative elections in about two months, the first since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, with polls suggesting his coalition may fall short of a majority.
Analysts say neither side is genuinely committed to adherence, and that Israel could argue indefinitely that conditions for withdrawal have not been met because many weapons are held by families, clans, criminal networks, and jihadi groups.
- Who
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, Hamas, and mediators Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar
- What
- Hamas agreed to disarm as part of a peace plan, but Israel refuses to withdraw from Gaza until disarmament is complete
- When
- The peace plan was announced in July, and the disarmament agreement was reached in late July; Israel resumed drone strikes in early August
- Where
- Gaza, Israel, and the United States
- Why
- Netanyahu faces domestic political challenges ahead of Israeli elections and has linked his standing to the war, while Hamas's compliance aims to expose Israel's posture internationally
Pro-withdrawal / diplomatic perspective
Pro-conditions / hardline perspective
Gaza withdrawal conditions
Pro-withdrawal / diplomatic perspective
Hamas has agreed to disarm, so Israel should proceed with withdrawal to advance the peace plan and reduce conflict.
Pro-conditions / hardline perspective
Israel must not withdraw until Hamas is fully disarmed, as disarmament is a precondition for security.
Motivation for Netanyahu's stance
Pro-withdrawal / diplomatic perspective
Netanyahu's maximalist posture is driven by political survival ahead of elections rather than genuine security needs.
Pro-conditions / hardline perspective
Netanyahu's stance reflects legitimate security concerns and the need to prevent future attacks.
Feasibility of disarmament
Pro-withdrawal / diplomatic perspective
Demanding complete disarmament is unrealistic since many weapons are held by families, clans, criminal networks, and jihadi groups, allowing Israel to delay indefinitely.
Pro-conditions / hardline perspective
Full disarmament is a necessary and achievable condition for a safe Israeli withdrawal.
- Peace plan
- 15-point plan announced in July including Hamas disarmament, return of Palestinian detainees, and creation of a temporary International Stabilisation Force
- Palestinian deaths since 2023
- More than 73,000 killed in Israel's war in Gaza
- Israeli elections
- About two months away; first since October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks
- Mediators
- Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar
- Board of Peace Chairman
- US President Donald Trump
- Netanyahu's condition
- IDF will not withdraw until Hamas is disarmed
- Reported Trump comment
- Axios reported Trump called Netanyahu 'his own worst enemy'