Netanyahu rejects US Gaza plan, vows no pullout until Hamas disarms

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly rejected a Gaza plan endorsed by US President Donald Trump, stating that Israel would only consider a military pullout once Hamas is genuinely disarmed. The Israeli leader, who faces criticism from his right-wing base ahead of elections, explicitly opposed the plan, referring to a 15-point document endorsed by Hamas in late July.

The plan, part of a US-led ceasefire announced in October, aims to have Hamas surrender weapons to a Palestinian governing body, with Israel agreeing to withdraw forces in tandem with the disarmament. However, Netanyahu's government has firmly rejected the idea, insisting that Israel will only withdraw once Hamas has completely destroyed its weapons.

Following a meeting with Netanyahu, Trump's peace board backtracked and said that Israel would only need to withdraw after complete disarmament. Despite this, Netanyahu remains adamant that Hamas must give up all of its weapons, a goal that the peace board members say is not realistically achievable.