Trump and Netanyahu May Be at Odds Again Over Gaza Plan
NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-07-31 18:05:00 — www.nytimes.com
Trump Claims Israel Is “Very Happy” With Gaza Disarmament Plan Despite Israeli Concerns
President Trump dismissed concerns on Friday about the viability of his newly announced plan to disarm Hamas, insisting that Israel was “very happy” with the agreement—even as signals from Israel’s government indicated otherwise. “We do have an understanding with Israel,” Trump told reporters after a cabinet meeting at Camp David. “Israel is very happy about it. Israel helped us.” Just a day earlier, Trump had called the plan a “historic breakthrough,” but he quickly tempered expectations, describing the situation as “very complex” and warning that the process would likely have “ups and downs.”
Disputed Claims and Uncertain Support
Trump’s public insistence on Israeli support stands in contrast to the actual response from Israeli officials. While Trump claimed Israel was on board, the Israeli government circulated statements from a “diplomatic official” emphasizing the need for “genuine” disarmament by Hamas. Meanwhile, Israel’s right-wing national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, openly called the plan “unacceptable” on social media—a sign of deep reservations within the Israeli leadership.
The plan, brokered by the Board of Peace, a multinational body Trump established in early 2025, aims to oversee peace efforts between Israel and Hamas and the reconstruction of Gaza. Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey played central roles in the negotiations. Trump announced Thursday night that Hamas had agreed to “complete disarmament,” a claim that remains in doubt. On Friday, Hamas indicated it would only begin surrendering “heavy weapons” once Israel halted attacks on Gaza and showed no intention of giving up light weapons, which are crucial for maintaining its political control.
Fact-Checking Trump’s Assertions
Trump’s assertion that the agreement “shows you how much success we’re having with Iran” was made without any supporting evidence. The excerpt notes that when pressed on how the sequencing of disarmament and Israeli withdrawal would work, Trump sidestepped the question and offered no details.
The new agreement largely repeats promises made in the October 2025 cease-fire, under which both sides accused each other of failing to uphold their commitments. The process outlined in the 15-point agreement is gradual, with a two-week window to determine an implementation schedule and provisions for extensions.
Complex Realities and Political Tensions
Trump’s approach has put additional strain on his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has not issued a formal statement on the plan. The two leaders have disagreed on key issues, including diplomacy with Iran and Israel’s military campaign against Hezbollah. Trump has rejected Netanyahu’s warnings that Iran only responds to military and economic pressure, instead pursuing negotiations with Tehran.
The situation remains fluid, with both Israel and Hamas prioritizing their own interests and continuing to argue over the meaning of disarmament. Trump, meanwhile, faces the challenge of ensuring follow-through on the agreement while juggling numerous competing priorities.
Conclusion
President Trump’s claims about Israeli support for his Gaza disarmament plan are contradicted by statements from Israeli officials and the ongoing reluctance of both Israel and Hamas to fully commit to the terms. As the process moves forward, the success of the plan—and Trump’s credibility on the issue—remains far from certain.