Israel rejects Trump's Gaza peace plan, demands full Hamas disarmament
Israel has rejected the US Board of Peace's 15-point Gaza plan, insisting on complete Hamas disarmament before any withdrawal.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that Israel will not accept the 15-point Gaza peace plan proposed by the US Board of Peace, led by President Donald Trump. The government's position remains firm: Israeli forces will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed.
Trump had unveiled the plan last month, describing it as a breakthrough in efforts to end the war. The proposal was built on a ceasefire agreement that both Israel and Hamas had accepted last year, which initially took effect in October.
Despite the ceasefire, Israeli military operations in Gaza have continued. The plan's framework reportedly included a commitment from Hamas to lay down its weapons, a condition the group had supposedly agreed to.
Hamas had governed Gaza for nearly two decades before launching the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which triggered the current conflict. Netanyahu's rejection signals a hardening of Israel's stance, making any further diplomatic progress contingent on complete disarmament of the militant group.