Gadi Eisenkot Rejects Proposed Gaza Deal, Calls for Hamas Dismantlement

Former Israeli army chief Gadi Eisenkot, now chairman of the Yashar Party, sharply criticized reports of a nascent agreement between Israel and Hamas over the next phase of the Gaza war. He said any deal must achieve the "destruction of Hamas’ military and governing capabilities or its complete dismantlement" and warned that anything less would be a total failure. Eisenkot also rebuked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not presenting the alleged agreement to the public, questioning Israel’s role in any such arrangement.

President Donald Trump announced a "historic" peace‑council agreement calling for the complete disarmament of Hamas, a claim Israeli officials denied. Eisenkot noted that, nearly three years after the Oct. 7 attack, Hamas has rebuilt its strength, hostages remain captive, and the war’s objectives have not been met despite Israeli military successes.

Eisenkot’s criticism comes as he emerges as a leading opposition figure ahead of the autumn elections, with polls projecting his party to win 23 seats versus Likud’s 22, positioning him as a key challenger to Netanyahu’s government.