Netanyahu Rejects Trump's Proposed 15-Point Gaza Plan, Insists Hamas Must Disarm First

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed 15-point peace plan for Gaza, saying Israel will not withdraw its military forces until Hamas is genuinely disarmed.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu said, "Israel rejects the 15-point plan." He added that Israeli forces would continue military operations until Hamas no longer posed a threat.

"The Israel Defense Forces will not withdraw until Hamas is truly disarmed. We will continue to eliminate threats against our soldiers and our citizens," Netanyahu said.

Last month, Trump's Board of Peace announced that it had reached an agreement aimed at the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza.

However, Hamas has maintained that it would surrender its heavy weapons only if Israel ends all military operations and fully withdraws its forces from Gaza.

Although an initial ceasefire was agreed upon last October, Israeli military operations in Gaza have continued.

After reports emerged last month that Hamas had accepted a disarmament framework, Trump described the proposal as "a groundbreaking step toward lasting peace and security."

Netanyahu, however, reiterated that Hamas must be disarmed before any Israeli troop withdrawal takes place, emphasizing that the process must be genuine rather than symbolic.

He said he is continuing discussions with U.S. officials on how to move forward.

"They have several ideas. Some are acceptable to us, and some are not. We know how to stand firm on the issues that matter," Netanyahu said.

The Israeli prime minister is also facing domestic political pressure ahead of national elections expected within the coming months.

Members of his right-wing governing coalition, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have urged the government to hold another cabinet vote on the Gaza proposal. Ben-Gvir has described the draft plan as "unacceptable."

Netanyahu's rejection represents another setback for Trump's Gaza peace initiative, first unveiled in September last year. The proposal envisioned the creation of a Board of Peace to oversee implementation, alongside the disarmament of Hamas, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the reconstruction of Gaza.