Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a US-led 15-point peace plan for Gaza endorsed by Hamas, creating a rare public disagreement between Israel and US President Donald Trump. Netanyahu made his position clear on Sunday, saying Israel would not accept the proposed arrangement in its current form.
The plan, developed by Trump’s Board of Peace, seeks to end the fighting in Gaza through a phased process involving the disarmament of Hamas, an Israeli military withdrawal and the transfer of authority to an independent Palestinian administration. Hamas has endorsed the framework, raising hopes for progress toward ending the conflict.
However, Netanyahu insists that Israel’s forces should not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas has been fully disarmed. He argued that disarmament must cover all of the group’s weapons rather than being limited or symbolic. His position puts him at odds with the US-backed proposal, which links Hamas’ disarmament to a gradual Israeli withdrawal.
The rejection comes after more than a week of criticism from Netanyahu and pressure from his right-wing political allies. His government has continued to emphasize Israel’s security concerns and its demand for guarantees that Hamas cannot rebuild its military capabilities.
The disagreement represents a significant strain in the relationship between Trump and Netanyahu. Trump has promoted the Gaza initiative as a major diplomatic breakthrough, while Netanyahu’s rejection suggests that Washington and Jerusalem remain divided over how the conflict should end.
The development could further complicate efforts to achieve a lasting ceasefire and establish a post-war administration in Gaza. Negotiations between the United States and Israel are expected to continue as both sides seek to resolve the differences surrounding Hamas’ disarmament and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the United States President Donald Trump
