Netanyahu: Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan Requires Hamas to Disarm Before Implementation
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 29: U.S. President Donald Trump (L) greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrives at the White House on September 29, 2025 in Washington, DC. In what will be their fourth meeting in Washington, Trump and Netanyahu are expected to discuss the latest U.S. backed plans to end the war in Gaza and free the remaining hostages held by Hamas. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump has been “unequivocal,” both in private and public, that Hamas must disarm as a prerequisite for his 20-point peace plan to proceed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday.
Netanyahu described the requirement as “a necessary and fundamental condition” for implementing the U.S. president’s framework, noting Trump showed no flexibility on this matter during recent discussions.
The prime minister highlighted the significance of his recent visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, which he said deepened ties between Israel and the United States.
During their meeting, Trump reportedly told journalists Hamas would be given a “very short period of time” to demilitarize or face severe consequences. The president did not specify a concrete timeline for this process.
Netanyahu shared that it was “very moving” to stand alongside Trump during New Year’s celebrations, adding that when asked about fireworks, he compared them favorably to other explosions but noted their management had become routine.
The prime minister emphasized progress toward the next phase of peace hinges on Hamas disarming. He stated a different future for Gaza is possible if Hamas demilitarizes “whether with an international force or by any other means,” adding that if disarmament can be achieved easily, so be it—otherwise, alternative methods would follow.
Netanyahu revealed Hamas still maintains approximately 20,000 operatives and 60,000 rifles. “That’s what disarmament means — take all these rifles away from them and break up those terror tunnels they have, which stretch hundreds of kilometers,” the premier stated to Fox News.
Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal reiterated calls for Israel’s destruction at an anti-Israel summit in Turkey on December 6, rejecting U.S.- and United Nations-backed demands for Hamas to disarm and demilitarize Gaza. “The resistance and its weapons are the honor and pride of the ummah,” Mashaal declared. “A thousand statements are not worth a single projectile of iron.”
The Israeli Defense Forces conducted a precise strike on Saturday targeting a Hamas tunnel shaft in northern Gaza containing a rocket launcher “loaded and ready to be launched toward Sderot.” The military labeled the attack a “blatant” truce violation.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Foreign Ministry reported Hamas has been violating the ceasefire daily by refusing to return Israel Police Master Sergeant Ran Gvili’s remains—the last remaining hostage whose body was taken after fighting terrorists during the October 7 attacks. Hamas has delayed releasing the remains despite being obligated under the ceasefire agreement to return all 28 bodies by October 13.
