Search
Search

GAZA

Netanyahu says Israel did not agree to US-backed Gaza plan


FILE PHOTO: Palestinian fighters from the Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement, are seen inside an underground tunnel in Gaza on Aug. 18, 2014. (Picture taken on Aug. 18, 2014. (Credit: Mohammed Salem/Reuters)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel did not agree to a U.S.-backed plan for Gaza, even after receiving assurances that an Israeli pullout would only happen after Hamas disarms.

In a video posted to his social media accounts on Tuesday night, Netanyahu said the team of U.S. President Donald Trump "believes that they can bring about the disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of Gaza. We are checking this. They sent us a draft — we did not agree to it, it is not our draft. We sent our comments."

Netanyahu met with the U.S.-backed "Board of Peace" on Monday and received guarantees that the Israeli army would only be required to leave its current positions in Gaza after Hamas disarms.

But pressure has been growing on the premier from his far-right coalition partners to reject the deal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel did not agree to a U.S.-backed plan for Gaza, even after receiving assurances that an Israeli pullout would only happen after Hamas disarms.In a video posted to his social media accounts on Tuesday night, Netanyahu said the team of U.S. President Donald Trump "believes that they can bring about the disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of Gaza. We are checking this. They sent us a draft — we did not agree to it, it is not our draft. We sent our comments."Netanyahu met with the U.S.-backed "Board of Peace" on Monday and received guarantees that the Israeli army would only be required to leave its current positions in Gaza after Hamas disarms.But pressure has been growing on the premier from his far-right coalition partners to reject the deal....