Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly rejected the US-backed peace plan consisting of 15 points, stating that Israel will not withdraw its forces from the Gaza Strip until Hamas is “truly disarmed.” This assertion was reported by both The Guardian and CNN.
Netanyahu specifically referred to the plan supported by Hamas at the end of July, declaring, “Israel rejects the document containing 15 points.” He emphasized that the Israeli military will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed, continuing to counter threats to Israeli forces and citizens.
“When I say disarm Hamas, I mean heavy weapons, lighter arms, all weapons. We are talking about real disarmament, not a fictitious one,” he asserted during a cabinet meeting, according to Reuters.
Netanyahu also made it clear that under his leadership, there will be no establishment of a Palestinian state, neither in Gaza nor in the West Bank.
In late July, US President Donald Trump announced what he described as a historic agreement to ensure the disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza, following a ceasefire accord negotiated by the US between Hamas and Israel.
The plan proposed that Hamas would surrender its weapons to a future Palestinian governing authority. The document also suggested that Israel would begin troop withdrawals in parallel with the disarmament process. However, Israel categorically rejects this notion and demands the complete destruction of Hamas’s weapons.
Netanyahu confirmed that discussions are ongoing with the United States regarding Israel’s objections to the plan. He stated, “They have certain ideas. Some are acceptable to us, others are not, and we know how to stand our ground on these issues.”
Furthermore, Netanyahu reiterated that Hamas must renounce all of its weapons, a goal that members of the Peace Council have deemed unrealistic. He stressed the need for a genuine disarmament process.
Hamas, meanwhile, has indicated that it will implement the agreement only if Israel halts its attacks in Gaza and withdraws its troops to the “yellow line” established by the ceasefire agreement in October.
Currently, Israeli forces control more than half of the Gaza Strip, particularly in the eastern and southern regions.
