Deir al-Balah, Gaza: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday said Israeli forces will not withdraw from their current positions in Gaza until Hamas has been completely disarmed, signaling a major hurdle for efforts to end the war.

His remarks cast fresh uncertainty over a U.S.-backed proposal that envisioned Hamas beginning to disarm while Israel halted military strikes and gradually withdrew from areas under its control.

In a video posted on social media, Netanyahu indicated that Israel had rejected elements of a draft proposal put forward by the Trump administration.

"The Trump administration sent us a draft. We did not agree. It is not our draft. We sent our comments. … This is our position."

Reiterating Israel's security stance, Netanyahu said disarmament must precede any military withdrawal.

"Do whatever is necessary to protect themselves, our territory, and our citizens."

The comments highlighted rare public differences between Israel and the Trump administration over the path forward in Gaza, where a fragile ceasefire remains in place.

Mass funeral held for victims of 2023 strike

Earlier on Tuesday, hundreds of Palestinians attended a mass funeral for 112 bodies recently recovered from the rubble of a residential block in Gaza City's Sabra neighborhood, nearly three years after an Israeli airstrike devastated the area in November 2023.

According to Gaza's Civil Defense agency, the latest recovery operation included the remains of 40 children, while 157 people are still believed to be trapped beneath the debris.

Speaking after the funeral prayers, relative Taysir al-Hassayna mourned those killed in the strike.

"The only crime of these martyrs was that they remained steadfast and resilient in their homes, believing that these homes would protect them."

Referring to those whose remains have yet to be recovered, he added, "As if their bodies had evaporated without a trace."

Ceasefire remains fragile

The ceasefire agreement reached last October called for Hamas to disarm, Israel to withdraw its forces from Gaza, the deployment of an international stabilization force, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian administration to oversee governance and reconstruction.

However, the two sides remain deadlocked. Israel says any withdrawal depends on Hamas surrendering its weapons, while Hamas insists Israeli military operations must end before disarmament discussions can proceed.

Gaza's Health Ministry says more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began following Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages taken into Gaza. The ministry also says more than 1,250 people have been killed since the ceasefire took effect, while thousands are still believed to be buried beneath the rubble.