Netanyahu sets strict conditions on Gaza reconstruction before talks with US envoy

The Israeli newspaper Maariv reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent clear messages to US President’s envoy Steve Witkoff regarding the Gaza Strip.

At a highly sensitive time, and as the United States seeks to reopen communication channels with Iran, Netanyahu met Witkoff in Jerusalem on Tuesday evening. Senior security officials attended the meeting, including the head of Mossad, the defence minister, and the chief of staff. This showed that Israel views the US move as a core security issue rather than a routine diplomatic step.

According to the newspaper, the meeting took place “just hours before Witkoff was expected to resume a new round of regional talks, focused on examining the possibility of renewing contacts with Tehran”.

The paper said Israel sees this stage as critical and believes it requires early coordination and clear positions. It added that Israel’s aim is clear: to set firm boundaries before talks begin and to avoid any situation in which Israel would later be forced to respond to agreements already reached.

In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office after the meeting, it said Netanyahu gave the US envoy a firm demand: Hamas must be disarmed and Gaza fully demilitarised before any reconstruction can take place.

READ: Israel’s Netanyahu conditions Gaza’s reconstruction on disarmament