JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday rejected a 15-point US-led Gaza plan endorsed by Hamas, stating that Israeli forces will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is genuinely disarmed.
Netanyahu explicitly opposed the plan during a cabinet meeting, calling it unacceptable and reaffirming that Israel would not begin phased troop withdrawals unless Hamas surrendered its entire arsenal. He defined “genuine disarmament” as covering all weapons, from heavy to light arms, and dismissed the possibility of a Palestinian state under his leadership.
The 15-point proposal, developed by the US Board of Peace, envisioned a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza tied to Hamas’s disarmament. However, Netanyahu’s rejection underscores a growing rift between Israel and the US over the plan’s sequencing and terms.
Core Developments
1. Netanyahu’s Rejection of the Gaza Plan
Netanyahu stated in a cabinet meeting: “Israel rejects the 15-point document.” He emphasized that the Israeli military (IDF) would not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas was fully disarmed, adding that Israel would continue military operations to counter threats from the group.
He described the plan as containing some acceptable and some unacceptable elements, indicating ongoing negotiations with the US while asserting Israel’s right to reject proposals it deemed incompatible with security needs.
2. Hamas’s Stance and US Mediation
Hamas, which endorsed the plan in late July, called on the US to pressure Netanyahu to comply, accusing him of obstructing the process for domestic political reasons. A senior Hamas official, Bassem Naim, stated: “We expect the mediators and the American guarantor to pressure Netanyahu and his government to adhere to the roadmap.”
The US Board of Peace had framed the plan as a historic agreement for Hamas’s complete disarmament, with weapons to be handed over to an international policing force. However, Hamas previously indicated it would only disarm after Israel withdrew from Gaza and halted hostilities, complicating the proposed phased approach.
Key Points of Contention
Disarmament vs. Withdrawal Sequence
The central dispute revolves around the order of actions:
- The US-backed plan proposed parallel steps: Israeli withdrawals alongside Hamas’s disarmament.
- Netanyahu insisted on disarmament first, arguing that any symbolic or partial surrender would not suffice. He stated: “We are talking about genuine disarmament, not fictitious disarmament.”
Political Context in Israel
Netanyahu’s rejection comes amid tight polling ahead of Israel’s October 27 elections, his first since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. His right-wing coalition partners have urged him to reject the plan, which they view as compromising Israel’s security. Netanyahu also reiterated his opposition to a Palestinian state, declaring: “As long as I am prime minister, no Palestinian state will be established.”
International Reactions and Implications
The US has not yet publicly responded to Netanyahu’s rejection, though the Board of Peace had previously assured Israel that withdrawals would not begin immediately. The plan’s future remains uncertain as mediators seek to bridge the divide between Israel’s security demands and Hamas’s conditions for compliance.
The rejection highlights strained US-Israel relations, particularly as Netanyahu distances himself from Trump’s proposals despite describing him as “our greatest friend in the White House.” Analysts suggest the move may be aimed at consolidating support among right-wing voters ahead of the elections.