Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Sunday that Israel will not accept a Palestinian state under any circumstances and insisted that Hamas would be disarmed — willingly or by force. His comments come at a sensitive moment, as the United States seeks UN Security Council approval for a Gaza proposal that outlines a path toward Palestinian statehood.
“Our opposition to a Palestinian state in any territory has not changed,” Netanyahu said during his weekly cabinet meeting. “Gaza will be demilitarized, and Hamas will be disarmed, the easy way or the hard way.” The remarks were a direct response to criticism from hardline members of his governing coalition, who argue that the US-backed plan concedes too much to Palestinian aspirations.
Although the final draft of the US resolution has not yet been released, Washington — joined by eight Arab and Muslim governments — issued a statement on Friday saying the proposal “offers a pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.” Netanyahu’s rejection of that vision places him at odds not only with the US but also with regional powers seeking a postwar political framework.
The tensions unfold ahead of a key diplomatic moment: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s upcoming visit to Washington for talks with President Donald Trump. It will be his first trip to the White House in seven years, and the future of Gaza — along with the prospects of Saudi-Israeli normalization — is expected to dominate the agenda. Riyadh has repeatedly stated that recognition of Israel is only possible if the establishment of a Palestinian state is guaranteed.
Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire five weeks ago after two years of conflict, under a deal brokered by Trump. The truce began with Hamas releasing Israeli hostages and Israel freeing Palestinian prisoners. While three remains of Israeli captives are still expected to be returned, the fragile pause in fighting has now shifted global focus toward Gaza’s future governance and reconstruction.
Writing in the Washington Post, US Ambassador to the UN Michael Waltz said the next phase requires forming a multinational stabilization force “mandated to demilitarize Gaza, dismantle terrorist infrastructure, decommission weapons used by terrorists, and maintain the safety of the Palestinian people over a two-year term.” The UN Security Council will debate the proposal on Monday — though Russia has introduced a competing resolution, adding uncertainty to the outcomes.
Despite reference to a multinational mission in both Trump’s ceasefire terms and the UN draft, the composition and mandate of such a force remain unclear. Several countries have expressed conditional interest in contributing troops but are wary of being tasked with forcibly disarming armed factions, particularly if resistance from local militants is expected.
A US-led group of nations has already established a headquarters in southern Israel to coordinate Gaza’s reconstruction, disarmament process, and humanitarian expansion. They await formal permission to begin operations. Meanwhile, Israel continues to occupy half of Gaza. In the other half — where most civilians live in increasingly dire conditions — Hamas maintains visible control, with armed fighters guarding key areas.
Mohammed bin Salman’s meeting with Trump on Tuesday is viewed as pivotal. Saudi Arabia’s stance remains unchanged: normalization with Israel requires concrete progress toward Palestinian statehood. Netanyahu’s uncompromising position, reiterated Sunday, widens the diplomatic gap just as the US is trying to forge consensus on a postwar framework.
Netanyahu also referenced Israel’s upcoming election timetable, reminding critics that a national vote must occur within a year. While opposition parties have demanded an early election following the war, Netanyahu suggested he expects polls to take place toward the end of the Jewish year — meaning September.
