Key facts
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Donald Trump's 15-point Gaza peace plan.
- Israel insists on full Hamas disarmament before any military withdrawal from Gaza.
- Hamas has indicated readiness to proceed with the US-backed initiative.
- Egypt called for Israel's complete withdrawal from Gaza and sustained humanitarian aid access.
- A Board of Peace envoy stated Israel is not required to withdraw until Palestinian groups surrender weapons.
- Israel has scaled back attacks in Gaza since Monday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly rejected Donald Trump's latest 15-point Gaza peace plan, stating that Israel will not withdraw from the territory until Hamas is fully disarmed. This rejection comes despite Hamas indicating its readiness to move forward with the US-backed initiative. Egypt has called for Israel's complete withdrawal from Gaza and the sustained delivery of humanitarian aid, aligning with aspects of Trump's plan.
Nikolay Mladenov, a senior envoy for Trump's 'Board of Peace', stated that Israel is not required to withdraw its forces from Gaza until Palestinian groups surrender their weapons, and that any withdrawal would follow verified steps on the ground. He added that discussions on the new roadmap were ongoing.
Netanyahu's forceful rejection, delivered on Sunday, appeared to be a public test of his relationship with Trump, potentially aimed at bolstering his domestic political standing amidst upcoming elections. Israel has scaled back attacks in Gaza since Monday, agreeing to act only against immediate threats. Hamas, however, remains committed to the roadmap and expects mediators and the U.S. to press Netanyahu to adhere to it, citing internal political and electoral reasons for obstruction.
Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich praised Netanyahu, emphasizing the war's goal of destroying Hamas and stating the military cannot withdraw. Hamas agreed to hand over weapons to a U.S.-backed Palestinian technocrat administration, but stated implementation depends on Israel meeting its commitments, including withdrawal and halting attacks. Since a US-mediated ceasefire in October 2025, over 1,250 people have been killed in Israeli attacks, according to Gaza health officials, while Israeli troops have occupied two-thirds of the enclave.