Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel rejects a 15-point plan aimed at disarming Hamas, a deal that former President Donald Trump had recently announced as a breakthrough. Netanyahu clarified during a weekend cabinet meeting that Israel will not withdraw its forces from the Gaza Strip until Hamas is genuinely disarmed.
"I want to be precise here: Israel rejects the 15-point document," Netanyahu said. He added that Israel "will continue to thwart threats against our forces and citizens." Discussions are ongoing with the Americans regarding their proposals, some of which are acceptable to Israel and some are not.
Netanyahu reiterated his long-standing position that "As long as I am prime minister, no Palestinian state will be established — not in Gaza and not in the West Bank." This stance comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts concerning the Gaza Strip, where Israel currently has forces operating in over half of the territory.
This rejection marks a divergence from Trump's Board of Peace, which has been working on efforts to rebuild Gaza. A previous 20-point plan from the Trump administration, announced last October, outlined phases including a cease-fire, humanitarian support, demilitarization, reconstruction, and recognition of a Palestinian state. Trump's team had reportedly been aiming to advance to the second phase of that overarching plan.
The 15-point proposal, presented by Trump last month, had been viewed as a potential turning point. Hamas and other Palestinian groups had reportedly conditioned their agreement on Israel's commitment to withdraw its forces to the "yellow line" as outlined in the earlier 20-point plan, and to cease all strikes in Gaza.
Netanyahu emphasized that Israel's security remains the priority, stating, "Contrary to all those who preach to us, we do what must be done for Israel’s security and we can and will stand our ground even against our best friends when necessary."
A member of Hamas' politburo, Bassem Naim, called for mediators and the U.S. to pressure Netanyahu to adhere to the plan, suggesting his opposition might be influenced by internal political and electoral considerations, as Netanyahu faces an election in October.
Netanyahu and Trump have had past disagreements on key aspects of peace initiatives in the region, despite a previously close relationship. Netanyahu met with Trump and Vice President JD Vance in Washington D.C. last month.