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Netanyahu rejects President Trump’s US-backed 15-point Gaza peace framework, insisting Israel will not make security concessions under international pressure.
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Israeli Prime Minister declares troops will remain in Gaza until Hamas undergoes a “genuine and verifiable” disarmament, rejecting any phased withdrawal before that condition is met.
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Hamas reiterates commitment to the proposed agreement but insists surrendering its weapons depends on a complete Israeli military withdrawal and an end to hostilities.
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Deepening US-Israel policy differences threaten the latest ceasefire initiative as Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe worsens, with nearly two million people displaced by the war.
August 10, (THEWILL) — Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has dealt a major blow to United States President Donald Trump’s latest Middle East peace initiative, rejecting Washington’s proposed 15-point Gaza framework and insisting Israeli troops will remain inside the enclave until Hamas is completely and verifiably disarmed.
The declaration significantly undermines months of American-led diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the nearly three-year conflict in Gaza and exposes growing differences between Washington and Jerusalem over the sequencing of a permanent ceasefire.
Speaking during Sunday’s cabinet meeting, Netanyahu declared that Israel would not endorse the US-backed proposal in its current form.
“Israel rejects the 15-point document. The Israel Defence Forces will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed and will continue to thwart threats against our forces and our citizens”, the Prime Minister said.
His position came despite repeated assurances by Trump’s Board of Peace that negotiators had secured an understanding providing for the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed factions operating in Gaza.
Hamas Insists Israeli Withdrawal Must Come First
Hamas responded by reaffirming its commitment to the framework but maintained that handing over its heavy weapons remains conditional upon Israel ending all military operations and withdrawing from the Gaza Strip.
A senior Hamas official told the BBC on Sunday that the movement remained ready “to engage seriously and responsibly” in implementing the agreement.
The official urged international mediators to ensure that every party honours its commitments, arguing that implementation could only succeed if both Israel and Hamas complied simultaneously.
The conflicting positions once again leave negotiations deadlocked, with both sides demanding that the other make the first major concession.
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Trump’s Peace Initiative Faces Fresh Uncertainty
President Trump unveiled the peace initiative in September last year, describing it as a historic roadmap capable of delivering lasting peace after months of negotiations involving regional and international stakeholders.
The proposal established a Board of Peace to supervise implementation, oversee Hamas’ disarmament, coordinate the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces and lead Gaza’s post-war reconstruction.
Last month, the Board announced that it had reached an understanding for the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups.
Only days ago, Trump described the breakthrough as a “monumental step toward lasting peace and security”, saying Hamas had, for the first time, agreed in principle to disarm if Israeli troops withdrew from Gaza.
Netanyahu’s latest declaration effectively reverses that sequence, insisting disarmament must come first and warning that Israel would accept nothing short of a fully verified process.
He stressed that Israel would not accept what he described as a “fictitious disarmament”, insisting any agreement must guarantee that Hamas could no longer threaten Israeli citizens.
The Israeli leader disclosed that discussions with senior US officials were continuing, adding that while some American proposals were acceptable, others were not.
“They have ideas; some of them are acceptable to us, and some are not, and we know how to stand our ground on these matters”, Netanyahu stated.
Netanyahu’s hardline stance also reflects increasing domestic political pressure ahead of Israeli elections expected in the coming months.
Several members of his right-wing governing coalition have opposed any arrangement that could require significant Israeli concessions before Hamas is completely dismantled.
Far-right coalition figures have demanded a fresh cabinet vote to terminate support for the current peace framework.
National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, dismissed the draft agreement as “not acceptable”, reinforcing growing opposition within the governing coalition.
READ ALSO: Hamas Ends 19-Year Rule of Gaza
US Mediators Continue Push for Agreement
Despite Israel’s rejection, American officials insist negotiations remain alive.
Senior diplomat Nickolay Mladenov defended the proposal on Sunday, describing it as the most practical path towards ending the conflict.
According to Mladenov, the framework was deliberately structured as a phased process that is verifiable, reversible and capable of being suspended if either side fails to meet agreed obligations.
He also clarified that Israel would not be required to complete its withdrawal until independent monitors verified that Hamas had begun implementing genuine disarmament measures.
Another senior Board of Peace representative told Israel’s Channel 12 that Israeli authorities had been encouraged “to give the process a chance”, insisting the framework remained the only viable means of preventing another attack similar to the October 7, 2023 assault.
Trump’s 15-point Gaza proposal represents the most comprehensive US-led effort to secure a permanent ceasefire since the conflict began. The initiative seeks to balance Israel’s security concerns with demands for humanitarian relief and long-term reconstruction by linking Hamas’ phased disarmament to a monitored Israeli withdrawal and international oversight.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
