Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a U.S.-backed peace plan for Gaza on Sunday [1].
The rejection stalls a high-profile diplomatic effort to end the conflict through a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces. Because the proposal was backed by former President Donald Trump, the move signals a significant friction point in the coordination between Israeli leadership and U.S. political figures.
During a press conference in Jerusalem, Netanyahu addressed the 15-point [1] plan, which called for a phased Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in exchange for the disarmament of Hamas [2]. While the Prime Minister acknowledged the framework, he said that the sequence of events proposed was unacceptable to the Israeli government.
"We will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is completely disarmed," Netanyahu said [3].
The Prime Minister said that while the plan offers a realistic path to peace, Israel must see Hamas fully disarmed before any troop pull-out occurs [1]. He said that the military capability of Hamas must be eliminated to ensure long-term security for the region.
"Israel's rejection underscores that any lasting cease-fire must be tied to the elimination of Hamas's military capability," Netanyahu said [4].
The 15-point [1] proposal sought to create a structured transition of power and security in Gaza. However, the insistence by the Israeli government on total disarmament as a prerequisite, rather than a parallel process, creates a fundamental deadlock in the negotiations.
Netanyahu's stance remains firm on the requirement for a verifiable surrender of weapons before the Israeli military vacates its positions in the territory [3].
“"We will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is completely disarmed."”
The rejection of the 15-point plan indicates that the primary obstacle to a cease-fire remains the sequence of disarmament and withdrawal. By demanding that Hamas be fully disarmed before any Israeli troops leave, Netanyahu is prioritizing absolute security guarantees over the phased diplomatic transitions typically found in U.S.-led peace frameworks.
