Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed a 15-point peace proposal from the Trump administration, insisting that Israeli forces will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is fully and verifiably disarmed.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a comprehensive peace framework for Gaza presented by the Trump administration during a cabinet meeting on Sunday, declaring that Israel would maintain its military presence in the territory until Hamas undergoes what he termed "genuine" disarmament. Netanyahu emphasized that any withdrawal would be contingent on verified disarmament rather than what he called "fictitious" measures.
The Trump Board of Peace had announced the agreement last month, claiming to have brokered a deal for the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed factions in Gaza. Hamas, however, presented a contrasting position, stating that weapons handover would only occur if Israel ceased military operations and withdrew from Gaza entirely. This fundamental disagreement over sequencing represents a significant obstacle to implementation.
Israel has continued military operations in Gaza since accepting an initial ceasefire arrangement in October, maintaining strikes against various targets. Netanyahu indicated he is engaging in discussions with American officials about possible pathways forward, though he offered no indication of willingness to modify Israel's position.
The rejection marks another setback for the Trump administration's Gaza peace initiative, which was initially announced in September. Observers note that Netanyahu's stance may reflect domestic political considerations, with Israeli elections approaching and potential electoral costs associated with appearing to make territorial concessions.
