Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected US President Donald Trump's 15-point plan for Gaza, stating that Israeli forces will not withdraw until Hamas is 'genuinely disarmed'. The announcement came during a cabinet meeting, where Netanyahu emphasized that Hamas must surrender all weapons before any pullback.
The plan, unveiled by Trump in late July, was touted as a breakthrough in the US-led ceasefire framework. It proposed a phased approach where Hamas and other armed groups would hand over weapons to a new Palestinian governing body, with Israel withdrawing troops in tandem with disarmament. However, Netanyahu's rejection signals a hardening stance amid pressure from his right-wing base ahead of elections.
The 15-point roadmap, developed by the US-led Board of Peace, details a conditional framework for disarmament and reconstruction in the war-torn enclave. It mandates Hamas disarmament in exchange for a full Israeli military withdrawal and the transition of governance to an independent Palestinian National Committee, supported by an international security force. UNSC Resolution 2803 designates the Board of Peace as the overseeing body.
Despite the framework, significant challenges remain. Hamas has linked its compliance to an end to Israel's genocidal actions. A Hamas negotiator told Al Jazeera that implementation depends on Israel fulfilling its commitments. Meanwhile, the Board of Peace insisted that Israeli withdrawal will only occur after Hamas disarmament is complete.
Israel has killed over 73,300 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023, and continued strikes have killed more than 1,200 since the October 2025 'ceasefire'. Netanyahu added that Israel is engaging with Washington over concerns, saying, 'They have ideas; some are acceptable to us, and some are not.'
Analysts view Netanyahu's rejection as a calculated move ahead of the October elections, where he faces a tough challenge. Former Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas said Netanyahu needs 'a forever war' and is using the rejection to rally his base. Palestinian analyst Xavier Abu Eid argued the plan serves Israeli interests over Palestinian self-determination, while Israeli analyst Dan Perry suggested the rejection is out of step with public opinion.
Source: www.aljazeera.com