Israel rejects Trump’s 15-point plan for Gaza, Netanyahu says

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed US President Donald Trump’s 15-point peace plan for Gaza, asserting that the country will not withdraw its military forces until the militant group Hamas is fully disarmed. Trump’s Board of Peace had announced in September that it had reached a deal for Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza to be “fully disarmed,” but Hamas has insisted that the disarmament process begin only once Israel ceases its aggression and withdraws its forces.

Despite the initial ceasefire in Gaza since October of last year, Israel has continued to launch strikes against Hamas targets. At a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu declared, “Israel rejects the 15-point document.” He emphasized that the Israeli military would not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed and will persist in countering any threats to its forces and citizens.

A Hamas spokesperson affirmed the group’s commitment to the agreement and readiness to “engage seriously and responsibly in implementing” the 15-point plan, urging mediators to ensure compliance from all parties. This response from Israel underscores the challenges faced by President Trump’s Gaza peace initiative, which also included the establishment of a Board of Peace to oversee its implementation, the disarmament of Hamas, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the reconstruction of Gaza.

Netanyahu’s delay in articulating his rejection may be indicative of his precarious position, balancing his antagonism toward Trump’s plan with the need to maintain a strong alliance with the United States. The news of Netanyahu’s stance follows a week after Trump’s announcement of the “monumental step toward lasting peace and security,” where Hamas had reportedly agreed to disarm under the condition of Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza.