JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared late Tuesday, January 27, 2026, that Israel will not permit the reconstruction of Gaza until the enclave is fully disarmed and Hamas is dismantled, reiterating long-standing conditions for any post-war recovery in the Palestinian territory.
Speaking at a press conference from his office in West Jerusalem, Netanyahu framed the policy as non-negotiable, linking it directly to the ongoing security threat posed by Hamas and other militant groups. His remarks came one day after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the recovery of the remains of Master Sgt. Ran Gvili—the last of the 251 hostages seized by Hamas and allied factions during the October 7, 2023 attacks—who had been held in Gaza for more than two years.
“We are now focused on achieving the two remaining objectives together: disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza,” Netanyahu stated. “There are only two options—the easy path or the hard path—and we will not allow the reconstruction of Gaza before it is disarmed.”
The prime minister’s position effectively rules out Israeli cooperation with international reconstruction efforts—backed by the United States, European Union, Gulf states, and United Nations agencies—unless Hamas is removed as a military force. Netanyahu has repeatedly cited this condition as justification for withholding support from the second phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed Gaza plan, which envisions a phased reconstruction, governance transition, and eventual Palestinian administration under strict security guarantees.
On the Rafah border crossing—Gaza’s main gateway to Egypt—Netanyahu confirmed a limited reopening agreement, stating: “We agreed to open the crossing for individuals only and in limited numbers, and everyone entering or leaving will be subject to Israeli inspection.” The crossing, closed to most humanitarian and commercial traffic since the onset of the war, remains a flashpoint in negotiations over aid delivery and civilian movement.
Addressing speculation about a potential U.S. military strike on Iran amid rising regional tensions, Netanyahu issued a stark warning: “If Iran makes a grave mistake and attacks Israel, we will respond with a force it has never seen before.” The comment follows reports of U.S. naval deployments, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln strike group, closer to Iranian waters, and heightened Israeli readiness for possible Iranian retaliation or proxy escalation.
Earlier in the day, Netanyahu canceled a scheduled security briefing with opposition leader Yair Lapid on Iran and Gaza developments, citing a “busy schedule,” according to Israeli media outlets including Channel 12 and Haaretz. The cancellation drew criticism from opposition figures who accused the prime minister of avoiding scrutiny amid mounting domestic and international pressure.
Netanyahu also addressed the looming political crisis over the national budget and military conscription exemptions for ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jews. Haredi parties in the ruling coalition have refused to support the 2026 budget bill unless it includes legislation exempting yeshiva students from mandatory military service—a demand rejected by secular and centrist factions. If the budget is not passed by March 31, 2026, the Knesset will be automatically dissolved, triggering early elections.
“That is what I hope for and what I am working toward,” Netanyahu said when asked about holding elections on schedule. “The last thing Israel needs right now is elections.” He expressed hope for a compromise but offered no concrete concessions, leaving the coalition’s stability in question as ultra-Orthodox leaders have threatened to withdraw support over the conscription issue.
The recovery of Master Sgt. Ran Gvili’s remains—identified after forensic examination of 250 bodies exhumed from a cemetery in northern Gaza—was formally announced by the IDF on Monday. Gvili, kidnapped from the Nova music festival site on October 7, 2023, was the final hostage whose remains were still unaccounted for among those known to have died in captivity. The IDF stated that intelligence and operational efforts led to the location, though details of the recovery operation were not disclosed.
Netanyahu’s press conference occurred against a backdrop of continued low-level military activity in Gaza, sporadic rocket fire from Lebanon, Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, and escalating diplomatic friction with the United States over humanitarian access and postwar planning. While President Trump has maintained strong support for Israel, his administration has also pushed for a credible reconstruction path tied to hostage recovery and governance alternatives to Hamas.
Israeli public opinion remains deeply divided. Polls show broad support for maintaining military pressure on Hamas, but growing fatigue with the war’s economic and social costs, as well as concern over the political deadlock and international isolation risks.
As the Gaza conflict approaches its third year, Netanyahu’s statement underscores Israel’s insistence on security-first preconditions for any large-scale reconstruction—conditions that mediators and Palestinian factions have repeatedly rejected as tantamount to indefinite occupation or collective punishment.
