Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a 15-point [1] U.S. peace plan for Gaza during a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday.
The rejection signals a significant diplomatic rift between Israel and the United States, potentially prolonging the conflict despite reports that the proposal had been accepted by Hamas [4].
Netanyahu said Israel will not withdraw from the territory until Hamas is disarmed. The prime minister said that security remains the primary condition for any agreement, and that the plan was accepted by Hamas, but Israel cannot agree to it without full disarmament [4].
The U.S. proposal consists of 15 [1] specific points aimed at ending the hostilities. While the details of the plan remain a point of contention, the Israeli government's refusal to adopt the framework indicates a hardline stance on the military presence within Gaza.
During the meeting, Netanyahu addressed the pressure from the United States regarding the peace framework. He said, "I will stand up to the US president and protect Israel’s security" [3].
The move comes as international pressure mounts for a ceasefire. However, the Israeli cabinet maintains that any withdrawal without a verified disarmament of Hamas would jeopardize the long-term safety of the region, a position that contradicts the terms of the current U.S. proposal.
Netanyahu said that the priority of his administration is the complete neutralization of the militant group. He said, "We will not withdraw until Hamas is truly disarmed" [2].
“We will not withdraw until Hamas is truly disarmed.”
The rejection of the 15-point plan suggests that the gap between the U.S. administration's diplomatic goals and the Israeli government's security requirements remains wide. By publicly stating a willingness to oppose the U.S. president, Netanyahu is signaling to his domestic coalition and regional adversaries that military objectives take precedence over diplomatic concessions, even when the opposing party, Hamas, has reportedly signaled acceptance.
