Netanyahu says 'Israel' rejects Trump's Gaza peace plan

• Netanyahu says Hamas must disarm before troop withdrawal.
• US-'Israel' talks continue over next steps.
• Far-right allies oppose the plan.
• Rejection deals blow to Gaza peace efforts.

'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that 'Israel' has rejected US President Donald Trump's 15-point plan for Gaza, declaring that no military pull-out will take place until Hamas is "genuinely" disarmed.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu delivered a direct refusal of the latest proposal backed by Washington.

"Israel rejects the 15-point document," Netanyahu said during the cabinet meeting. "The Israeli military will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed and will continue to thwart threats against our forces and our citizens."

Disarmament terms

The rejection follows an announcement last month by Trump's Board of Peace stating it had reached an agreement for the "complete disarmament" of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza.

At the time, US President Trump hailed the development as "a monumental step toward lasting peace and security" after Hamas said it accepted a disarmament plan.

However, Hamas clarified that handing over its heavy weapons was contingent on 'Israel' ending "all forms of aggression" and withdrawing its forces from Gaza.

'Israel', which has continued to carry out strikes on Gaza since agreeing to an initial ceasefire in the territory last October, insists disarmament must happen prior to any troop movements.

Netanyahu emphasized that Hamas must disarm before 'Israel' withdraws its forces, stressing that it could not be some "fictitious disarmament."

Domestic political pressure

Netanyahu stated he is currently engaging with US officials regarding how to proceed, noting that Washington has presented various ideas.

"They have ideas; some of them are acceptable to us and some are not, and we know how to stand our ground on these matters," Netanyahu said.

The 'Israeli' prime minister's stance comes just months before 'Israeli' elections, a period during which he is unlikely to want to make concessions.

He has also faced intense calls from his far-right allies to hold a new cabinet vote and terminate the Gaza plan, with 'Israeli' National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir dismissing the draft as "not acceptable."

The development signals another blow to Trump's broader Gaza peace plan announced in September last year, which outlined the establishment of the Board of Peace to oversee implementation alongside Hamas disarmament, the withdrawal of 'Israeli' troops, and the reconstruction of Gaza.