Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday called for Hamas to be expelled from the region, one day after the UN Security Council endorsed U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to end the conflict in Gaza. The plan also includes an amnesty for Hamas members.
Netanyahu had publicly supported Trump’s plan during a visit to the White House in September. However, his latest comments appear to reveal some differences with the United States regarding the next steps. Hamas has also expressed concerns over certain aspects of the plan, according to Reuters.
Diplomats note that entrenched positions on both sides—from Israel and Hamas—have made advancing the plan difficult, especially since it lacks clear timelines and enforcement mechanisms. Nevertheless, the proposal has received strong international support.
On Tuesday, Netanyahu posted a series of messages on X (formerly Twitter) in response to the U.S. resolution on Gaza at the UN. In one post, he praised Trump, while in another he stated that the Israeli government believes the plan will lead to peace and prosperity as it calls for the “demilitarization, disarmament, and complete deradicalization of Gaza.”
“Israel extends a hand of peace and prosperity to all its neighbors” and calls on neighboring countries to “join us in expelling Hamas and its supporters from the region,” the Israeli Prime Minister added.
When asked what he meant by expelling Hamas, a spokesperson clarified that this would involve ensuring that there is no Hamas presence in Gaza, as outlined in the 20-point plan, and that Hamas no longer has the ability to govern Palestinians within the Gaza Strip.
Trump’s 20-point plan includes a clause stating that Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence and surrender their weapons will receive amnesty, while those wishing to leave would be offered safe passage to third countries.
