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Netanyahu rejects Trump's 15-point Gaza plan

newsAug 9, 202619135

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday rejected the U.S.-backed 15-point Gaza plan, saying “I want to be precise here: Israel rejects the 15-point document” and that Israeli forces will “not withdraw at all until Hamas is genuinely disarmed.” The plan was announced by President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace on July 31 as a roadmap aimed at disarming Hamas and moving toward a ceasefire. Netanyahu said Israel is discussing parts of the proposal with the Americans, adding that some ideas are acceptable and some are not, and reiterated “As long as I am prime minister, no Palestinian state will be established, not in Gaza and not in the West Bank.” After Trump’s announcement there was a brief surge in Israeli strikes on Gaza that have since declined; Israeli forces still occupy more than half of Gaza and senior ministers have signaled interest in expanding control. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich welcomed Netanyahu’s stance, saying the Israel Defense Forces “cannot retreat one millimeter in the Gaza Strip.” Hamas politburo member Bassem Naim said the group remains committed to the U.S. roadmap and expects American pressure on Netanyahu, and Egypt’s foreign minister urged all parties to fulfill their commitments after meeting the UN special envoy. Netanyahu’s public rejection is likely to further strain Israel’s relationship with Washington and complicate efforts to implement the Trump-backed roadmap ahead of Israel’s national election in late October.

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