Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on January 4, 2026, that U.S. President Donald Trump remains absolutely firm on the issue of Hamas disarmament. Speaking at a press conference, Netanyahu emphasized that disarmament is an essential, non-negotiable condition for any progress toward a Gaza ceasefire.

According to Netanyahu, “Trump was absolutely unequivocal: Hamas must be disarmed. There is no alternative. This is a fundamental and essential condition. There was no concession on this point, and there will be no flexibility on this issue.” His remarks underscore the continuity of a hardline U.S. stance first articulated during a December 2025 meeting at Mar-a-Lago, where Trump reportedly warned Hamas of “hell to pay” if it failed to relinquish weapons promptly.

The statement signals that the United States will maintain a strict approach during Phase 2 of the peace plan, which requires Hamas to surrender control of arms before negotiations or humanitarian measures can advance. For Israel and its allies, the declaration reaffirms that any lasting stability in Gaza depends on neutralizing Hamas’ capacity for armed action.

Observers note that the firm U.S. position aims to prevent incremental concessions or half-measures that could undermine security in the region. Netanyahu’s remarks also send a clear signal to Hamas leadership that the window for negotiation is contingent entirely on compliance with disarmament requirements.

By publicly reiterating Trump’s stance, Israel reinforces the alignment between its security priorities and the U.S. administration’s approach, emphasizing that regional stability, civilian protection, and long-term peace are inseparable from Hamas’ complete disarmament.