Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected US President Donald Trump’s latest 15 point plan for Gaza, creating fresh uncertainty over efforts to maintain the ceasefire and move toward a longer term settlement.
What did Netanyahu say?
Netanyahu said Israel would not accept the current 15 point proposal and that Israeli forces would not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed.
He said disarmament must include heavy weapons, lighter weapons and other military equipment, insisting that it must be complete and genuine.
Netanyahu also said Israel would continue discussions with Washington, acknowledging that some parts of the US proposal were acceptable while others were not.
What does Trump’s plan propose?
The US backed roadmap envisages a process in which Hamas gives up its weapons while Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza in stages.
The proposal also includes:
➤ An International Stabilization Force for Gaza
➤ A new Palestinian security force
➤ A new Palestinian administration to govern Gaza
➤ International support for rebuilding Gaza
➤ Gradual Israeli military withdrawal
➤ Hamas disarmament as a central part of the process
Hamas supports the proposal
- Hamas has said it remains committed to the roadmap and called on mediators and the United States to ensure that the commitments are implemented.
- However, Israel and Hamas remain divided over the order in which key steps should take place.
- Hamas has demanded an Israeli withdrawal and an end to attacks, while Netanyahu insists that Hamas must first be fully disarmed.
Israel reduces some military operations
- Israel has reportedly reduced some military operations in Gaza following pressure from the Trump administration.
- However, tensions remain high and disagreements over the next stage of the ceasefire continue.
Political pressure on Netanyahu
- Netanyahu is also facing pressure from far right members of his government, who oppose major concessions or an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
- At the same time, Trump is seeking progress toward ending the conflict, making Netanyahu’s rejection of parts of the plan an important disagreement between Israel and its key US ally.
Netanyahu rejects Palestinian state
Netanyahu also said that, while he remains prime minister, there will be no Palestinian state in Gaza or the West Bank.
His comments are likely to further complicate international efforts to establish a long term political solution to the conflict.
What happens next?
➤ Israel has rejected the current 15 point proposal.
➤ Netanyahu demands complete Hamas disarmament before Israeli withdrawal.
➤ Hamas says it remains committed to the roadmap.
➤ The US continues discussions with Israel.
➤ Israel and Hamas disagree over the timing of key commitments.
➤ The disagreement could complicate the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire.
