Israeli Prime Minister Rejects US-Led Gaza Peace Plan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly rejected a 15-point peace plan for Gaza proposed by US President Donald Trump. The plan, which was introduced by the US-led Board of Peace in July, aimed to create a path toward long-term stability in the region. However, in a cabinet meeting held on Sunday, Netanyahu made it clear that Israel would not follow the proposal as it is currently written.

At the heart of the disagreement is the order of events regarding security. The US plan suggested a phased process where Israeli troops would withdraw from Gaza while Hamas handed over its weapons to an international force. In contrast, Netanyahu stated that the Israeli military would not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is “genuinely disarmed.” He emphasized that this must include all heavy and light weaponry, rejecting what he called “fictitious disarmament.” According to BBC News, Netanyahu told his cabinet that Israel knows how to stand its ground, even against its best friends, when it comes to national security.

The peace plan was intended to build upon an earlier ceasefire—an agreement to stop fighting—that began in October 2025. While that initial agreement allowed for the release of hostages and an increase in humanitarian aid, it left the most difficult issues, such as the future of Hamas’s weapons, for later discussions. Trump’s new roadmap sought to resolve these issues by proposing a transition of power to an independent Palestinian committee. However, Hamas has maintained that it will only hand over its weapons if Israel ends its military actions and withdraws its forces from the territory.

This rejection highlights the complex political environment surrounding the conflict. Both the US and Israel are approaching important elections, which makes compromise difficult. As reported by The Guardian, Netanyahu is facing pressure from hardline members of his own government who want him to take a tough stance on Gaza. By publicly challenging the US plan, the Israeli leader appears to be strengthening his reputation as a defender of Israel’s security at home, even if it risks damaging his relationship with the White House.

Despite the rejection, representatives from the US Board of Peace continue to defend the proposal. Nickolay Mladenov, the high representative for the board, told Israeli media that the plan remains the “only way forward” to ensure that the violence of the past does not happen again. Mladenov noted that the plan was designed to be a verifiable process, meaning that each stage could be checked and, if necessary, stopped to ensure safety.

Meanwhile, the situation on the ground remains tense. According to NPR, Israel still maintains control over a significant portion of Gaza. While the US and Israel continue to hold discussions about how to move forward, there is no clear sign of a breakthrough. Hamas has stated that it remains committed to the original roadmap and has called on international mediators to ensure that all parties follow the agreements that were previously made.

The disagreement also reflects wider tensions in the Middle East. The US is currently working on multiple fronts to bring peace to the region, including efforts to end conflicts in Lebanon and address the war with Iran. The White House is particularly interested in stabilizing the region to help manage global issues like oil and petrol prices. However, as the latest developments show, the different interests of the US, Israel, and Palestinian groups continue to make a lasting peace deal very difficult to achieve.

As the situation develops, the world is watching to see if the US can convince Israel to change its position or if the 15-point plan will be replaced by a new strategy. For now, the path to peace remains blocked by deep disagreements over security, trust, and the fundamental requirements for ending the war.