Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected Donald Trump’s 15‑point roadmap to disarm Hamas in Gaza, a decision that comes as Israel prepares for its general election in October.
The Washington plan, announced last month by Trump on his Truth Social platform, proposes a step‑by‑step decommissioning of all Hamas weapons, followed by a gradual Israeli withdrawal from over 60% of Gaza. The proposal was welcomed by the United Kingdom and the European Union, though Israeli officials say it fails to reflect the country’s security views.
Netanyahu’s public statement—“Israel does not accept the 15‑point document”—was delivered to his cabinet and reading in the press released a few hours later. He stressed that Israel will not withdraw until Hamas is fully disarmed and warned that any compromise would compromise Israeli security.
The United States, meanwhile, has been largely silent. A senior U.S. official reportedly told Israeli journalist Barak Ravid that they are not bothered by the rejection and regard it as campaign rhetoric. The White House has urged Israel to continue limiting attacks in Gaza while the bilateral relationship remains a key factor before the U.S. presidential election.
Hamas fighters have publicly reaffirmed that they remain willing to comply with the 15‑point plan, citing the need for verified weapon removal before Israeli forces can consider a withdrawal. The high commissioner for Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov, emphasized that a future peace force would only materialize if weapon stocks could be safely decommissioned and stored under international oversight.
As Israel gears up for a campaign season that pits the right‑leaning coalition against opposition movements, Netanyahu faces a delicate balancing act. Analysts say the most consequential election of his tenure will come if his government can convince voters that it can secure absolute victory over Hamas while satisfying Washington’s insistence on disarmament.
The emerging picture shows a complex web of strategic decisions: Israel must decide whether to accept Washington’s roadmap, while the U.S. watches how the Israeli election outcome will influence future peace prospects. A key line of inquiry will be whether the International Stabilization Force, composed of foreign troops and a new Palestinian police cadre, can once again settle in Rafah at the month’s end to reverse the war’s devastation.
The situation remains fluid, with many Israeli allies and global powers awaiting an official Israeli stance on the 15‑point proposal. The stakes are high: a final decision could either propel or stall the peace process, while the political climate at home continues to intensify.
