Netanyahu Vows Hamas Will Be Disarmed "Easy Way or Hard Way" While Rejecting Palestinian Statehood

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly reiterated his stance that Hamas will be "disarmed" either the "easy way or the hard way," emphasizing Israel's unwavering position.

"Our opposition to a Palestinian state in any territory has not changed. Gaza will be demilitarized, and Hamas will be disarmed, the easy way or the hard way," Netanyahu declared during a weekly cabinet meeting.

These statements come just a day before the UN Security Council is scheduled to vote on a resolution supporting US President Donald Trump's peace plan. This plan would establish a "Board of Peace" in Gaza to oversee post-war reconstruction and economic recovery efforts.

Addressing concerns about potential "non-demilitarization" of Hamas-controlled areas in Gaza, Netanyahu was unequivocal, stating that "there will be no such thing."

Trump's comprehensive 20-step ceasefire plan explicitly calls for Gaza Strip demilitarization and requires Hamas to disarm. However, a significant challenge remains as Hamas has not fully accepted this critical disarmament requirement.

"Even in the 20-point plan, and in everything else, this territory will be demilitarized, and Hamas will be disarmed, the easy way or the hard way. This is what I said, and this is what President Trump also said," Netanyahu emphasized.

Regarding Palestinian statehood, Netanyahu maintained, "Our opposition to a Palestinian state anywhere west of the Jordan River exists and has not changed even a bit."

He added, "I have been pushing back against these attempts for decades, and I do so against external as well as internal pressure. I don't need affirmations, tweets, or lectures from anyone."

Netanyahu has faced significant criticism from coalition members, particularly far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who accused him of inadequately responding to recent recognitions of Palestinian statehood by Western nations.

Smotrich urged Netanyahu on social media to "Formulate immediately an appropriate and decisive response that will make it clear to the entire world -- no Palestinian state will ever arise on the lands of our homeland."

In response during the cabinet meeting, Netanyahu reaffirmed, "Our opposition to a Palestinian state anywhere west of the Jordan River exists and has not changed even a bit."

Other ministers also expressed their opposition to Palestinian statehood. Defence Minister Israel Katz stated on social media, "Israel's policy is clear: no Palestinian state will be established."

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar similarly declared that Israel would "not agree to the establishment of a Palestinian terror state in the heart of the Land of Israel."

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir took an even stronger position, referring to Palestinian identity as an "invention."

The initial phase of the US-backed ceasefire agreement resulted in the release of the final 20 living Israeli hostages and nearly all 28 deceased captives held by Palestinian militants.

In exchange, Israel released almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and returned 330 bodies.