Netanyahu Rejects Trump’s Gaza Proposal, Insists Hamas Must Disarm

A proposed US-backed path toward ending the Gaza war has hit a major setback after Israel rejected President Donald Trump’s 15-point peace plan.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel would not withdraw its forces from Gaza unless Hamas first completely surrendered its weapons.

“I want to clarify this. Israel rejects the 15-point document,” Netanyahu said during a Cabinet meeting.

Trump had previously described his Gaza initiative as a breakthrough and said Hamas had agreed to disarm. However, the proposal reportedly envisages a phased Israeli withdrawal alongside Hamas’ disarmament.

Netanyahu said Israel would accept some of the US proposals but reject others, stressing that disarmament must cover both heavy and light weapons.

He also ruled out the establishment of a Palestinian state in Gaza or the West Bank under his leadership and said Israeli forces would continue acting against perceived threats to the country and its citizens.

The rejection represents a rare public disagreement between Netanyahu’s government and the Trump administration over the way forward in Gaza.

The Israeli military has continued strikes in Gaza despite a ceasefire agreed in October last year. Palestinian officials say about 1,200 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire.