Netanyahu, at odds with Trump, rejects Gaza peace plan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected US President Donald Trump's proposed peace plan for Gaza, insisting Israeli forces would remain in the territory until Hamas is entirely disarmed. Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu stated that Israel would not withdraw troops from Gaza until Hamas relinquished all its weapons, heavy and otherwise.

Despite his objections, Netanyahu expressed Israel's continued willingness to engage in talks with Washington. He described Trump as "our greatest friend in the White House," but emphasized that they had differing viewpoints on certain matters. Trump announced the 15-point roadmap earlier this month, which envisions Israeli troops withdrawing from Gaza once Hamas gives up its weapons, followed by an International Stabilization Force and a new Palestinian police force.

Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, has not used the term "disarmament" but has reportedly agreed to store its weapons under a US-backed Palestinian administration. Hamas's political bureau member Bassem Naim reiterated the group's commitment to the roadmap, asserting that the mediators and the American guarantor would pressure Netanyahu's government to adhere to it.

Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace's high representative for Gaza, said Israel would face no obligations until Hamas surrendered its weapons, but eventually, Israeli troops would have to withdraw "sector by sector" once the weapons were collected and rendered unusable. The dispute between Netanyahu and Trump comes at a politically sensitive time for the Israeli leader, who is running close to or behind his rivals in recent polls and faces pressure from far-right members of his government opposed to concessions to Hamas.