Israel tightens Gaza strike rules amid Hamas rearmament concerns

The Israeli Defence Forces have introduced stricter rules for targeting Hamas fighters in the Gaza Strip. Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir must now approve lethal strikes unless there is an immediate danger to soldiers, a change that officials say has already reduced the number of attacks.

Israeli leaders also voiced doubts about the U.S.‑backed Gaza peace framework proposed by former President Donald Trump. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the draft does not reflect Israel’s positions, and spokesperson Doron Spielman stated, "Izrael predložil svoje pripomienky a obavy k navrhovanému rámcu našim americkým partnerom. Zverejnená verzia neodráža izraelské pozície." Israeli intelligence reports that Hamas is re‑arming and recruiting new fighters, prompting warnings of further mass‑casualty attacks. The plan envisions a demilitarised Gaza, a goal Israel says cannot be confirmed until Hamas is fully disarmed.