Netanyahu Rejects US Gaza Plan, Demands Hamas Disarmament

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a Gaza plan endorsed by US President Donald Trump, asserting that Israel would not withdraw its military forces until Hamas is "genuinely" disarmed. This rejection followed a week of escalating criticism of the plan, which Netanyahu described as a "15-point document" that Hamas had endorsed in late July.

He stated at a cabinet meeting that the Israeli military would continue operations to thwart threats against Israeli forces and citizens. The plan, part of a US-led ceasefire announced in October, proposed that Hamas surrender its weapons to a new Palestinian governing body, with Israel's military withdrawal occurring simultaneously.

Netanyahu emphasized that Israel would only consider withdrawal after complete disarmament of Hamas, a condition that members of the Board of Peace deemed unrealistic. He noted ongoing discussions with the United States regarding Israel's objections, asserting that some proposed ideas were acceptable while others were not.