Eisenkot issues tough ultimatum on Hamas deal
Gadi Eisenkot criticized the agreement to disarm Hamas and Netanyahu for lack of transparency, stating that success will be measured by achieving the war's goals. He noted that Hamas has regained strength, and that apart from returning hostages, the war's objectives have not been met. Trump announced a deal that includes the withdrawal of the IDF and the transfer of security to Palestinian forces.
Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party, sharply criticized the agreement to disarm Hamas and the stance of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He stated that any agreement will be judged solely by whether it achieves the war's goals—the destruction of Hamas's military and governmental power or its dissolution—and that anything less is a complete failure. Eisenkot expressed bewilderment that the details of the agreement have not been presented to the Israeli public, and questioned whether Israel is a partner or is again being forced into an agreement without its participation. He also noted that nearly three years after the events of October 6, Hamas has rebuilt its fighter numbers to a level comparable to that evening, and that, except for the return of hostages, the war's goals have not been achieved. Against this backdrop, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that an agreement has been reached within the Peace Council to disarm Hamas, upon completion of which IDF forces will leave the Gaza Strip. Trump noted that the agreement is part of a '20-point plan' and will be implemented in stages, after which an International Stabilization Force (ISF) will begin work alongside a new Palestinian police force. He thanked the mediators—Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.