Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel rejects the U.S.-backed 15-point Gaza peace document and will not withdraw Israeli forces until Hamas is “genuinely disarmed.” President Donald Trump announced the plan on July 31 as a breakthrough from his Board of Peace, but Netanyahu said in his first direct remarks, “I want to be precise here: Israel rejects the 15-point document.” Israeli strikes in Gaza briefly surged after Trump’s announcement then declined in recent days, while Israeli forces still occupy more than half of Gaza and senior ministers have signaled interest in expanding control. Netanyahu, who faces an election at the end of October and is trailing in polls, said he will balance U.S. pressure against demands from hardline cabinet members; far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich welcomed the rejection. Hamas politburo member Bassem Naim said the group remains committed to Trump’s roadmap and urged U.S. pressure on Netanyahu. Netanyahu’s rejection is likely to further strain the U.S.-Israel relationship and complicate implementation of the U.S. roadmap.
