In brief
In a stern cabinet meeting, Netanyahu rejected President Donald Trump’s 15‑point plan to bring lasting peace to Gaza, saying Israel will not pull out troops unless Hamas is genuinely disarmed. Trump’s Board of Peace had announced an agreement for complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups, yet Hamas linked its compliance to an end to Israeli aggression and the withdrawal of forces. Netanyahu’s remarks signal a firmer stance ahead of Israel’s elections and underline the continued clash between the two parties over conditions of peace. The dispute highlights the complexities of negotiating with armed groups and the broader Israel‑Hamas conflict in the Middle East.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected President Donald Trump’s 15‑point Gaza peace plan on Sunday, insisting that Israel will not withdraw troops until Hamas is genuinely disarmed.
The plan, which was unveiled by Trump’s Board of Peace last month, calls for the "complete disarmament" of Hamas and other armed groups, and includes a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces, reconstruction of Gaza, and establishment of a monitoring board.
Hamas officials have made it clear that any hand‑over of heavy weaponry is conditional upon Israel ending all forms of aggression in Gaza and pulling its forces out of the territory.
Netanyahu said the Israeli military will "thwart threats against our forces and our citizens" and will continue strikes until conditions are met, refusing to accept a "fictitious disarmament" as a basis for withdrawal.
Ahead of the country’s elections, Netanyahu’s hard line occurs against calls from far‑right allies, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who dismissed the draft as unacceptable and called for a new cabinet vote.
The rejection marks a significant setback for Trump’s Gaza peace framework, which announced a 20‑point roadmap earlier in the year, and reflects the persistent tension over security, sovereignty and humanitarian concerns in the region.
