Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel will not pull back from its current positions in Gaza until Hamas has fully disarmed, marking a departure from a recent agreement announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. Netanyahu’s comments, delivered via social media video, emphasized that Israeli forces would continue defensive operations to protect the country and its citizens. He noted that Israel did not agree with the draft proposal, stating instead that the government had submitted its own position on the matter.
The disagreement centers on the terms of an October ceasefire agreement that ended major combat operations and led to the release of remaining hostages. That accord called for Hamas to begin surrendering weapons while Israel would halt strikes and withdraw from roughly 60 percent of Gaza under its control. The arrangement also envisioned an international stabilization force and an independent Palestinian administration to oversee governance and reconstruction.
On the same day as Netanyahu’s remarks, Palestinians held a mass funeral for more than 100 bodies recovered from an Israeli strike in Gaza in 2023. The remains of 112 victims, including 40 children, were laid to rest following funeral prayers attended by hundreds of people. The bodies had been buried beneath rubble for nearly three years before being excavated over the preceding weekend by first responders. According to the Civil Defense agency, 157 bodies from the same incident remain unfound.
Casualty figures continue to rise as bodies are recovered during the ceasefire period. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that more than 73,377 Palestinians have been killed since military operations began, with at least 1,252 deaths occurring since the ceasefire took effect. The ministry indicates that roughly half of the dead are women and children. Israel characterizes its operations as targeting militants and individuals involved in prior attacks. The ceasefire remains fragile, with both sides accusing the other of violations.
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