Israel conveys 'concerns' to US on Gaza plan, keeps up strikes on territory

Israel said on Monday it had conveyed concerns to the United States over a plan to end the Gaza war hailed by President Donald Trump, while continuing strikes on the Palestinian territory. The move marks the latest sign of disconnect between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

What concerns did Israel raise about the Gaza plan?

Israel's prime minister's office said it had conveyed comments and concerns on the proposed framework to American counterparts, adding that the publicly released version does not reflect Israel's positions. Netanyahu's office demanded more concrete disarmament by Hamas, which announced on Friday it would surrender weapons under Trump's plan to a new Palestinian governing committee.

Spokesman Doron Spielman said Israeli intelligence had found that Hamas had been rearming and recruiting fighters since the ceasefire announced by Trump in October. Netanyahu's office said Hamas's actions since the truce showed it was preparing for further October 7-style attacks.

Why are Trump and Netanyahu divided over Gaza?

Netanyahu faces a tough reelection fight in October and has heavily promoted his relationship with Trump, whom he met again last week. Yet he has stayed silent publicly on the disarmament announcement, even after Trump called it a "major milestone" and said Israel was "very happy" with the development.

Netanyahu's spokesman said Hamas's plan for a "deradicalized terror-free zone" stood in direct contrast to the group's stated intentions. He called the genuine, verifiable and irreversible demilitarization of Hamas the indispensable first step toward any lasting arrangement, warning that anything short of full demilitarization would leave Hamas capable of threatening Israel again.

A roadmap released by Trump's Board of Peace, dated Thursday, called on Israel to complete its commitments to cease military operations in Gaza fully and without delay. The roadmap also called for a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, something Israel has resisted until Hamas disarmament is verified.

Have Israeli strikes on Gaza continued since the ceasefire?

Despite the ceasefire announced in October, Israel still controls more than 60 percent of the Gaza Strip. More than 1,200 Palestinians have been killed since the truce, according to Gaza authorities, while Israel says it has lost five soldiers and one civilian contractor over the same period.

A Gaza security official said Israeli strikes have killed 19 Palestinians, including women and children, since early Sunday. Palestinian authorities also said an Israeli strike on Saturday destroyed a large number of medical supplies, while Israel maintains it has targeted arms depots and fighters concealed in civilian infrastructure.

What role is Jared Kushner playing in the Gaza plan?

Mohammad Dahlan, a senior Palestinian political figure involved in the Gaza plan, said he had spoken with Trump's son-in-law and aide Jared Kushner, who told him Israel would end strikes in Gaza effective Sunday. Dahlan later revised the claim, saying Kushner was instead working with Israel to halt the attacks.

Dahlan went on to accuse Netanyahu of working to obstruct what he called the most promising opportunity to end the war. Gaza is not the only source of tension between the two leaders, as Israel has also been skeptical of Trump's diplomatic push to end the war on Iran launched by both countries in late February.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog, whose role is largely ceremonial, struck a more optimistic tone, saying Trump's Gaza efforts bring a certain vision of hope. He described the latest developments as a very positive step, adding the clear caveat that Hamas must be disarmed.