Netanyahu Torpedoes Trump’s 15-Point Gaza Plan, Vows No Withdrawal Until Hamas Disarmed
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly rejected the U.S.-backed 15-point peace plan for Gaza, declaring that Israeli troops will not leave the territory until Hamas is "genuinely disarmed" — a move that breaks with President Donald Trump’s diplomatic push and throws the ceasefire roadmap into chaos.
The plan, promoted by Trump and his so-called Board of Peace, proposed a phased Israeli military withdrawal in exchange for hostage releases and a permanent ceasefire. Hamas had already signaled its commitment to moving forward with the next phase of the deal. But Netanyahu dismissed the framework outright at the start of a cabinet meeting on Sunday, saying, “Israel rejects the 15-point document,” and that the military would “not withdraw at the expense of security” [215232].
The rejection marks a sharp public rift between Netanyahu and Washington, which had presented the plan as a breakthrough. Israeli officials echoed the prime minister’s hard line, insisting that disarmament must be “real and verifiable, not just a promise on paper” [215456]. Netanyahu’s office confirmed that any withdrawal before Hamas surrenders its weapons is off the table [215727].
Hamas, which controls parts of Gaza, responded by urging Washington to pressure Israel to accept the plan [215432]. The group said it remains committed to the agreement and expects mediators—along with the United States—to press Israel to move forward with the deal [216214].
The core disagreement centers on sequencing. Hamas wants to proceed with the agreed-upon timeline for the second phase, while Israel is demanding disarmament before any troop withdrawal [215212]. Netanyahu’s statement directly opposes the U.S.-backed roadmap that Hamas had already accepted, marking a new public break with Trump’s approach [215709].
The move has surprised military leaders and raised doubts among allies, with reports suggesting Netanyahu was personally involved in drafting withdrawal details just days before his statement [215778]. Analysts say the rejection shows Netanyahu has little interest in a deal and that real relief for Gaza will require genuine pressure from Washington—not just public declarations [215790].
No new talks have been announced since Netanyahu’s statement, and U.S. officials have not yet issued a formal response [215456]. The White House has not commented on the rejection, and the plan’s future remains uncertain [215572].
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