Any agreement with Hamas is a return to the same concept

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman criticized the emerging agreement with Hamas, claiming it is a return to the concept that led to the October 7 massacre. He said Hamas must be eliminated instead of reaching agreements. Meanwhile, reports indicate progress in negotiations for the next phase in the Strip, including disarmament and handing over tunnels.

Yisrael Beiteinu chairman MK Avigdor Lieberman responded to reports of an emerging agreement between Israel and Hamas and strongly opposed any understandings with the terrorist organization. According to him, "Any agreement with Hamas is a return to the same concept that brought the State of Israel to the October 7 massacre. Instead of agreements with Hamas – we must eliminate Hamas." His remarks come amid reports on C14 of significant progress in negotiations for the next phase in the Strip. Sources in Israel and Gaza report approaching understandings, and according to Arab reports, an official announcement may be published as early as today. Gaza sets conditions for a full Israeli withdrawal and cessation of targeted killings. According to a Gaza source, understandings have been reached on the issue of weapons, including a framework for handover and storage under an agreed mechanism, as well as understandings regarding civilian mechanism workers. The source estimated that the government will examine the framework in accordance with the demand for full disarmament. According to sources of commentator Yaakov Bardugo, Hamas may begin within about two weeks to hand over weapons and reveal tunnel locations. Israeli sources stated that "the direction seems positive" and that Hamas agrees to a full disarmament framework and revealing tunnel locations. However, the talks are still sensitive and no agreement has been signed.