Israel's Netanyahu rejects Gaza plan in new break from Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a US-backed Gaza plan endorsed by Hamas, distancing himself from President Donald Trump as he prepares for October 27 elections. The plan, comprising 15 points, was endorsed by Hamas in late July but Israel has refused to accept it. Netanyahu stated that Israel would not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is disarmed and will continue to counter threats against its forces and citizens.

He described Trump as his closest ally in the White House but was prepared to challenge him, expressing Israel's objections to the plan. The head of Trump's Board of Peace, Nickolay Mladenov, defended the plan as the only way to prevent another October 7 tragedy. Mladenov hoped for a positive outcome from follow-up discussions with Israel.

Hamas, which supported the plan, urged the US to pressure Netanyahu. Despite Netanyahu's stance, Israel appears to have reduced operations in Gaza since the deal was announced, though not entirely halted. Israeli operations in Gaza have resulted in 1,258 Palestinian deaths since the ceasefire, and five Israeli deaths.