Israel raises 'serious security concerns' over Hamas disarmament deal with White House

Israel has conveyed serious security concerns to the White House over the US-backed Hamas disarmament agreement.

Israel will not withdraw troops from Gaza until Hamas fully surrenders its weapons, according to Doron Spielman, spokesperson for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.

The proposed agreement involves transferring weapons held by the Hamas-run police force to a US-backed Palestinian technocratic administration and dismantling Hamas' heavy weapons, military production sites, and tunnel network.

Spielman said Israeli intelligence believes Hamas is focused on rebuilding its military infrastructure rather than genuinely disarming, and could carry out another Oct. 7-style attack if Israel withdraws too soon.

Under the agreement, a process to decommission and store heavy weapons and dismantle military production sites and tunnels will begin after the arrival of a Palestinian committee and deployment of international forces, linked to a phased Israeli withdrawal.