Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears to have signaled a willingness to consider a plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump that calls for the disarmament of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
According to reports, Netanyahu told Jared Kushner that he was prepared to examine the proposal concerning Hamas’s disarmament. At the same time, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are reportedly pulling back toward the so-called “Yellow Line,” according to the Jerusalem Post.
The developments come amid renewed efforts to reach an agreement on Gaza and advance a broader framework for ending the conflict.
Netanyahu’s public position, however, has remained considerably more cautious. On Thursday, the Israeli prime minister rejected a document put forward by the so-called “Board of Peace,” withholding public support for the proposal while reiterating that there would be no Palestinian state in either Gaza or the West Bank as long as he remains prime minister.
Despite Netanyahu’s public opposition to parts of the proposal, a U.S. official told Axios that the White House was not concerned by his statements.
“The White House is not concerned about what Netanyahu says,” the official was quoted as saying.
The reported discussions come as the Trump administration seeks to advance a plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza, including the disarmament of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
The reported movement of Israeli troops toward the “Yellow Line” could represent an important step in implementing the proposed framework, although significant disagreements remain over Hamas’s disarmament, Israel’s long-term military presence and the future political status of Gaza.
The developments underscore the gap between Netanyahu’s public rhetoric and the behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts involving Washington and Israeli officials as the Trump administration attempts to push the parties toward a broader agreement.
