Netanyahu dismisses US-backed Gaza proposal, insists on Hamas disarmament before any pullout

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday f…

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday flatly rejected the 15-point framework floated by the Trump administration for resolving the Gaza crisis, saying the plan fails to meet Israel's core security demands. "Israel does not accept the 15-point document," Netanyahu told reporters, without offering a detailed counterproposal.

The U.S.-touted "Board of Peace" initiative, which President Donald Trump had presented as a viable pathway toward a durable ceasefire and eventual reconstruction, called for a staged Israeli military withdrawal alongside a phased disarmament of Hamas. But Netanyahu made clear that any Israeli troop redeployment is contingent on the complete and verifiable elimination of Hamas's military capabilities first.

The prime minister's blunt rejection puts him on a collision course with Washington, which had hoped the plan would break the months-long deadlock in negotiations. Senior U.S. officials had privately signaled that the proposal was designed to bridge gaps between Israel, Hamas, and regional mediators, offering a timeline for de-escalation and humanitarian relief for Gaza's battered civilian population.

Israeli analysts note that Netanyahu's stance reflects d…

Israeli analysts note that Netanyahu's stance reflects deep domestic political constraints, as his coalition partners have vowed to oppose any deal that leaves Hamas with residual rocket arsenals or smuggling infrastructure. The prime minister's office later issued a statement reiterating that "security control over Gaza remains non-negotiable" and that any diplomatic initiative must begin with Hamas's total surrender of weapons.

Meanwhile, Palestinian factions have not yet issued an official response to Netanyahu's remarks, but earlier signals suggested they would reject any framework that ties withdrawal to disarmament. Regional diplomats warn that the collapse of this latest proposal could escalate tensions, with resumption of hostilities a real risk if no alternative arrangement emerges in the coming days.

For now, the two sides remain entrenched, and the prospect of a negotiated settlement looks as distant as ever. The Trump administration has not publicly commented on Netanyahu's refusal, but behind-the-scenes efforts are reportedly underway to salvage some version of the plan before the situation on the ground deteriorates further.