Benjamin Netanyahu rejects Donald Trump’s 15-point peace plan for Gaza amidst high-stakes diplomatic rift

A high-stakes rift has emerged between Washington and Jerusalem following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s explicit rejection of Donald Trump’s 15-point proposal for Gaza, with Israel insisting on maintaining a military presence until Hamas is fully disarmed.

Under the framework put forward by Trump’s Board of Peace last month, terms were outlined for the reduction or withdrawal of military personnel and weapons across specified zones. Hamas responded by stating that relinquishing its arsenal remains conditional upon Israel ending all forms of aggression and withdrawing its forces from Gaza entirely.

Despite an agreement reached last October to pause hostilities in the territory, Israeli strikes inside Gaza have continued.

Addressing a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu stated that Israel rejects the 15-point document.

He stressed that the Israeli military will not execute any troop withdrawals until Hamas undergoes genuine disarmament, adding that forces will continue to counter active threats to safeguard personnel and citizens.

Although Trump previously hailed the initiative as a major milestone toward lasting regional stability after Hamas indicated acceptance of a demilitarisation strategy, Netanyahu emphasised that disarmament must precede any Israeli pullback, warning against what he described as a fictitious disarmament process.

Netanyahu is engaged in crucial discussions with American officials regarding next steps, marking another hurdle for Trump’s Gaza peace initiative originally unveiled in September last year.

The proposed plan centres on establishing a Board of Peace tasked with overseeing the demilitarisation of Hamas, supervising the exit of Israeli troops, and directing reconstruction efforts throughout Gaza.