On August 4 (local time), according to Xinhua news agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that his country will not withdraw its forces from its controlled positions in the Gaza Strip until Hamas is completely disarmaged.
Speaking in a video posted on social networks, Mr. Netanyahu emphasized that the Israeli army (IDF) is directed to take all necessary measures to protect Israeli soldiers, territory and citizens.
Regarding information that US President Donald Trump previously said that the "Peace Council" had reached an agreement on Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza being completely disarmaged, Mr. Netanyahu said that the White House had sent Israel a draft.
However, according to the Israeli Prime Minister, this is not a draft developed by the Israeli side.
That is not our draft. We have sent back our comments," Netanyahu said.
Previously, on July 31, US President Donald Trump announced that he had reached an agreement towards Hamas's complete disarmament as part of the process to end the conflict in Gaza.
A day after Mr. Trump's statement, Hamas said that the force had accepted the "LATEST version of the roadmap" for phase two of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza after negotiations described as "tense".
However, Hamas emphasized that all agreements related to weapons issues can only be considered if Israel completely stops military operations, withdraws all forces from the Gaza Strip and there is clear progress in the reconstruction of this territory.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes last weekend are said to have killed dozens of people across the Gaza Strip, including children and many civilians.
This development has caused Qatar, Egypt and Turkey - 3 countries playing a mediating role in the ceasefire negotiations in Gaza - to issue a joint statement on August 4, condemning the attacks and calling on the parties to exercise restraint to facilitate the resumption of the peace process.
So far, there has been no sign that the parties have reached a consensus on withdrawing troops or disarmament, while the conflict in Gaza continues.
