Netanyahu Rejects Trump’s 15-Point Plan for Gaza
Image source, Getty Images
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israeli forces will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is genuinely disarmed, firmly rejecting the 15-point peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump concerning Gaza.
Last month, Trump’s Board of Peace announced an agreement aimed at the “complete disarmament” of Hamas and other armed groups operating in Gaza.
However, Israel has made clear that it will only hand over major weapons after Hamas ends all forms of aggression and Israeli troops have fully withdrawn from Gaza.
Although a preliminary ceasefire agreement was reached in October, Israeli military operations in Gaza have continued.
“Israel rejects that 15-point document,” Netanyahu declared at a cabinet meeting on Sunday.
He emphasized that Israeli forces will not withdraw until Hamas is truly disarmed and pledged continuous efforts to protect Israeli citizens from ongoing threats.
A Hamas official, speaking to BBC on Sunday, asserted the group’s “full commitment” to the agreement and reiterated their readiness to work “seriously and responsibly” on implementing the 15-point plan.
He called on mediators to ensure that all parties adhere fully to their commitments.
Challenge to Trump’s Plan
With Israel’s rejection, Trump’s Gaza peace initiative, unveiled in September last year, appears to face a significant setback.
The plan included creating a Board of Peace to oversee the implementation of an agreement with Hamas, disarming the group, withdrawing Israeli troops from Gaza, and rebuilding the region.
Although Netanyahu’s recent remarks were not unexpected, analysts suggest his response is influenced by complex political pressures he is currently facing.
While it has long been clear that Netanyahu is unsatisfied with Trump’s plan, he is also cautious to avoid alienating his closest ally, the United States.
Last week, Trump hailed Hamas’ initial agreement to disarm, tied to Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza, as “a historic step toward sustainable peace and security.”
On Sunday, Netanyahu stated clearly that under his leadership, the plan would not come to fruition, insisting that Hamas must be genuinely and fully disarmed, not just in theory but in practice.
In practice, the process of disarming Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli forces will occur in phases.
Netanyahu said he is currently consulting with American officials to determine the next steps.
“They have some proposals. Some are acceptable to us, others are not. We know where we stand on these matters,” he added.
Internal Pressure in Israel
With Israeli elections imminent in a few months, right-wing coalition leaders are pressuring Netanyahu to adopt a tougher stance on Gaza. Consequently, he is reluctant to show flexibility.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and other far-right leaders have continued to call cabinet meetings to push for the abandonment of the Gaza plan. Ben-Gvir previously labeled the peace draft “unacceptable.”
Nikolay Mladenov, senior diplomat responsible for implementing Trump’s peace plan, expressed hope on Sunday that discussions remain positive.
Senior representatives from the Board of Peace told Israeli media that they have urged Israel to complete the process, insisting that the plan is the “only solution” to prevent incidents like the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
Mladenov claimed the plan was prepared with full awareness of the challenges involved.
According to him, Israel is not obligated to withdraw troops until Hamas provides proof of disarmament.
The United Nations reports that since the war began, nearly 90 percent of Gaza’s population—over 1.9 million people—have been displaced.
The war erupted after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in roughly 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken.
Gaza’s Ministry of Health has reported over 73,000 fatalities in the Israeli military campaign.
Additional reporting by Jack Burgess.
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