Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected US President Donald Trump's 15-point peace plan for Gaza, making it clear that no military pull-out will take place until Hamas is genuinely disarmed. Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu stated that the Israeli military will not carry out any withdrawal until the armed group lays down its weapons for real, adding that the country will continue to thwart threats against its forces and citizens.
The Stalled Disarmament and Ongoing Strikes
This rejection follows announcements made last month by Trump's Board of Peace, which claimed to have brokered an agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed factions in Gaza. In response, Hamas maintained that handing over its heavy weapons was strictly contingent on Israel halting all forms of military aggression and pulling its forces out of the territory. Despite an initial ceasefire agreed upon last October, Israel has continued its military strikes across Gaza.
Political Pressures and Right-Wing Opposition
Netanyahu emphasized that Israel cannot accept a fictitious disarmament process. With Israeli elections looming just months away, the prime minister faces intense domestic pressure and is widely considered unlikely to make major concessions. Far-right members of his coalition have actively urged him to scrap the Gaza plan altogether and hold a fresh cabinet vote. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has openly dismissed the draft proposal as entirely unacceptable.
A Major Blow to Trump's Regional Initiative
This latest diplomatic standoff delivers another severe setback to Trump's broader Gaza peace initiative, which was originally unveiled in September last year. The comprehensive blueprint envisioned the establishment of a Board of Peace to supervise implementation, alongside the complete disarmament of Hamas, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the eventual reconstruction of Gaza.
Despite the deadlock, Netanyahu noted that discussions with US officials regarding the path forward are ongoing. He remarked that while Washington has brought various ideas to the table—some acceptable and others not—Israel remains firm in standing its ground on core security matters.
