Netanyahu rejects Gaza plan in new break from Trump
After more than a week of gradually escalating criticism of the plan, and despite receiving assurances that Israel would not need to start withdrawing in Gaza immediately, Netanyahu explicitly opposed the deal following pushback from his right-wing allies.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a US-led Gaza plan endorsed by Hamas, distancing himself from President Donald Trump. This marks a shift from Trump's initial support for the 15-point document, which Hamas agreed to in late July. Netanyahu stated that Israel will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed and will continue to counter threats against Israeli forces and citizens.
He described Trump as his closest ally in the White House but made clear Israel would challenge the US on the deal. The Israeli military will only withdraw once Hamas disarms, according to Netanyahu. Despite Trump's initial endorsement, the Gaza plan is unpopular with Netanyahu's right-wing base, and far-right cabinet members have urged him to reject it.
The plan's implementation board, led by Nickolay Mladenov, defended it as a means to prevent a repeat of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that sparked the Gaza conflict. Mladenov expressed hope for a positive outcome from further discussions with Israel. Hamas, which initially supported the plan, now calls on Washington to pressure Netanyahu and his government to comply with the roadmap.
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