Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected US President Donald Trump’s latest 15-point plan to end the Gaza conflict, insisting that Israeli forces will not withdraw until Hamas is fully disarmed.
Speaking to his right-wing cabinet on Sunday, Netanyahu said Israel would not accept the proposed roadmap in its current form, despite Washington pushing for progress towards ending the conflict.
Under Trump’s plan, Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza in stages as Hamas gives up its weapons, while an international stabilisation force and a new Palestinian police force would help maintain security.
However, Netanyahu said Israel would not begin any withdrawal until Hamas had surrendered all its weapons, including both heavy and lighter arms. Israeli officials have also communicated their reservations about parts of the proposal to Washington.
The disagreement comes as Israel has significantly reduced military operations in Gaza following pressure from Trump. Israeli forces are reportedly limiting action to what they consider immediate threats and have stopped carrying out targeted assassinations.
Trump’s Gaza envoy, Nikolay Mladenov, said discussions over the roadmap were continuing. He indicated that Israeli troops would be expected to withdraw sector by sector once Hamas’ weapons had been removed and rendered unusable.
Hamas has meanwhile said it remains committed to the roadmap agreed in Cairo, but has called on mediators and the US to pressure Israel to honour its commitments.
The group has avoided describing its position as outright “disarmament”, saying instead that its weapons could be handed over for storage under a US-backed Palestinian administration.
The conflicting positions highlight a major obstacle to Trump’s plan, with Israel insisting on Hamas’ disarmament before withdrawal, while Hamas wants Israel to halt attacks and begin withdrawing before it proceeds with the weapons arrangements.
Far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has backed Netanyahu’s position, saying Israeli forces should not withdraw from Gaza.
The developments come as Netanyahu faces domestic political pressure ahead of Israel’s October 27 election, while trying to balance demands from his far-right coalition partners with Trump’s push for an end to the Gaza conflict.
