Israel Rejects Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismisses Trump’s 15-point Gaza plan, stating military withdrawal hinges on Hamas disarmament.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has firmly rejected the 15-point plan for Gaza proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. He articulated that no military withdrawal will take place until Hamas is “genuinely” disarmed. This announcement came during a cabinet meeting, underscoring Israel’s steadfast position regarding its military operations in the region.

Trump’s Board of Peace previously announced it had reached an agreement for the “complete disarmament” of Hamas and other armed factions in Gaza. However, Hamas countered this by stating that any concession on disarming its heavy weaponry is conditional upon Israel ceasing all forms of aggression and withdrawing its forces from Gaza.

Despite reaching an initial ceasefire in October of last year, Israel has continued its military strikes on Gaza. Netanyahu reiterated his government’s stance, indicating that any diplomatic efforts would be futile unless Hamas verifiably surrenders its weapons. “Israel rejects the 15-point document,” Netanyahu declared, reinforcing that the Israeli military will persist in its actions to ensure safety for its citizens and combat threats against its forces.

A Hamas official responded, reaffirming the group’s commitment to the agreement, expressing readiness to engage seriously and responsibly in the implementation of the plan. They urged mediators involved to ensure compliance amongst all involved parties.

Netanyahu’s rejection of Trump’s plan represents another significant challenge for the U.S. initiative aimed at ensuring peace in the region. This plan, which was introduced last September, aims to facilitate the disarmament of Hamas, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the reconstruction of Gaza.

While Netanyahu’s response may not have been a surprise given the political complexities he faces, the timing reflects the intricate balance he must navigate. His political coalition includes far-right members urging a tough stance on Gaza, which influences his approach to negotiations.

In light of Trump’s announcement, which cited a milestone towards “lasting peace and security” with Hamas agreeing to disarm, Netanyahu’s insistence that disarmament must be concrete rather than merely symbolic presents a significant hurdle. He noted that any potential disarmament and subsequent Israeli troop withdrawal would have to follow a phased approach.

Discussions are currently underway between Netanyahu and U.S. officials regarding a forward strategy. He suggested that while some of the U.S. proposals are acceptable, others are not, asserting that Israel is prepared to maintain its stance on critical issues.

As Israel approaches elections and faces internal pressures from right-wing factions to adopt a more hardline position, Netanyahu has been urged to reconvene his cabinet for another vote on the Gaza plan. This includes demands from National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who criticized the current draft as “not acceptable.”

According to U.N. reports, approximately 1.9 million people—90% of Gaza’s population—have been displaced since the outbreak of the conflict. This escalation was ignited by the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in around 1,200 fatalities and 251 hostages. The retaliatory military action by Israel has led to significant casualties in Gaza, with reports indicating over 73,000 deaths according to the territory’s health ministry.