Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected US President Donald Trump’s latest 15-point peace plan for Gaza, creating fresh tension between Washington and its close ally. Netanyahu said Israel would not accept the proposal in its current form and would not withdraw its forces from Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed.
The plan, backed by Trump’s administration, is aimed at moving the Gaza conflict into its next phase and creating a framework for a longer-term political settlement. A key part of the proposal involves Hamas giving up its weapons and Israel gradually withdrawing its military forces from the territory.
Netanyahu, however, has taken a tougher position. He argued that Hamas must be genuinely and completely disarmed before Israel can agree to a full military withdrawal. The Israeli government has described the proposed arrangements for Hamas’s disarmament as unacceptable.
The rejection is particularly significant because it represents a rare public disagreement between Netanyahu and Trump over Gaza policy. Trump has been seeking progress on his broader Middle East agenda, while Netanyahu has faced pressure from members of his government and domestic political supporters to maintain a hard line on Hamas.
Hamas, meanwhile, has reaffirmed its willingness to proceed with the US-backed roadmap and has urged mediators to pressure Israel to implement the proposed terms. This has left the two sides divided over one of the central issues of the plan—when and under what conditions Israeli forces should leave Gaza.
The disagreement could complicate efforts to advance the next stage of the Gaza peace process. Trump’s Board of Peace has defended the proposal, with its leadership describing the plan as the best available path to prevent a return to large-scale violence.
For now, negotiations are expected to continue, but Netanyahu’s rejection has made clear that any agreement will face significant obstacles. The central dispute remains Hamas’s disarmament and the timing of an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
The latest development also highlights the growing differences over how the Gaza conflict should end, even among countries and leaders involved in efforts to secure a lasting peace.
