Key facts
- Benjamin Netanyahu publicly rejected a US-backed plan for Gaza that included Hamas disarming.
- The rejection surprised Israeli commanders who had previously discussed implementation details with Netanyahu.
- Netanyahu's decision appears to prioritize placating domestic far-right allies ahead of an upcoming election.
- This move risks straining relations with the US, which is seeking an end to conflicts in the region.
- Netanyahu has a history of political maneuvering, including previously distancing himself from US-backed proposals.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly rejected a US-backed plan for Gaza, a move that has drawn skepticism within Israel and risks further isolating the country internationally. The plan reportedly included a commitment from Hamas to surrender its weapons, a key demand from Israel.
Reports indicate that Netanyahu had personally agreed to details of a pilot military withdrawal from parts of Gaza, including Rafah, in meetings with Israeli commanders and Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir just days before his public rejection. These meetings discussed the precise boundaries for proposed withdrawal areas and the interface with a yet-to-be-established international force. The prime minister's public stance appeared to contradict the message delivered by Adm. Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, who conveyed the Trump administration's desire for Israel to cease operations in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran.
This rejection is seen as a risky gamble, particularly given Israel's international isolation and reliance on US military supplies. Netanyahu is reportedly struggling to balance the conflicting demands of his domestic coalition partners, who favor intensified attacks and settlements in Gaza, and international allies like Donald Trump, who reportedly seeks a permanent settlement and a return of Palestinian control brokered by his Board of Peace. With an Israeli election looming, Netanyahu appears to be prioritizing appeasing his domestic base.
This is not the first time Netanyahu has distanced himself from US-backed proposals. In May 2024, he also moved away from a ceasefire and hostage release plan announced by President Joe Biden. However, the current administration in Washington seems to have largely dismissed Netanyahu's comments as electioneering, possibly encouraged by recent military decisions that suggest a greater alignment with Trump's wishes. These include scaled-back airstrikes in Gaza and a previous instance where Netanyahu ordered fighter jets heading for Iran to turn back at Trump's demand.
Netanyahu's strategy of combining strong domestic rhetoric with conciliatory actions on the ground may have bought him time, but US patience could be tested before the Israeli elections in late October, which occur shortly before US midterms. The strained relationship was evident during Netanyahu's recent low-profile visit to the White House, which concluded without a joint statement.