Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a 15-point plan for Gaza backed by United States President Donald Trump, insisting that Israeli forces will not withdraw from the Palestinian territory until Hamas is genuinely and fully disarmed.

Netanyahu announced Israel’s position during a cabinet meeting on Sunday, in what could represent a major setback for efforts to advance the implementation of a broader peace framework for Gaza. Blueprint reports

The plan, reportedly backed by Trump’s Board of Peace, is expected to address key issues surrounding the future of Gaza, including the disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, security arrangements and the reconstruction of the territory.

However, disagreements over the sequence and conditions for implementing the proposals have once again exposed the deep divisions between Israel and Hamas.

Netanyahu rejects document

“Israel rejects the 15-point document,” Netanyahu told members of his cabinet.

The Israeli leader said his government would not authorise a military withdrawal from Gaza until Hamas had been genuinely disarmed.

“The Israeli military will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed and will continue to thwart threats against our forces and our citizens,” Netanyahu said.

He stressed that Israel would not accept what he described as a symbolic or fictitious disarmament process, insisting that any agreement on the surrender of weapons must be genuine and verifiable.

The development came despite indications that the plan was designed to provide a roadmap for moving from an initial ceasefire arrangement towards a broader and more lasting settlement.

Netanyahu’s position means that one of the most difficult issues confronting mediators will be determining whether Hamas should disarm before Israel withdraws or whether the two processes should take place simultaneously in phases.

Hamas restates commitment

Hamas, however, said it remained committed to the agreement and was prepared to engage in efforts to implement the 15-point plan.

A Hamas official told the BBC that the group “reaffirms its commitment” to the agreement and was ready “to engage seriously and responsibly in implementing” the proposals.

The official called on mediators to ensure that all parties complied with what had been agreed.

Hamas has maintained that the issue of handing over its heavy weapons is linked to Israel ending military operations and withdrawing its forces from Gaza.

The group’s position has created a fundamental difference with Israel, which is demanding complete and genuine disarmament before considering a troop withdrawal.

The opposing positions have raised concerns about the future of the plan, as neither side appears willing to accept the other’s conditions without clear guarantees.

Trump’s peace plan faces fresh challenge

The disagreement is seen as another major challenge for Trump’s Gaza peace initiative, which was first announced as part of efforts to find a longer-term solution to the conflict.

The broader framework reportedly includes the creation of a Board of Peace to oversee the implementation of the agreement, as well as arrangements relating to the disarmament of armed groups, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the reconstruction of Gaza.

Just over a week ago, Trump described progress on the plan as a major step towards lasting peace and security after claims that Hamas had, for the first time, agreed to disarm under certain conditions.

However, Netanyahu’s latest comments have cast fresh doubt over how quickly the process can move forward.

The Israeli Prime Minister is understood to be discussing the next steps with US officials, acknowledging that Washington had put forward several ideas on how to overcome the disagreements.

“They have ideas; some of them are acceptable to us and some are not, and we know how to stand our ground on these matters,” Netanyahu said.

His comments suggest that discussions between Israel and the United States will continue as officials attempt to find a formula that can address Israel’s security concerns while also moving the broader peace process forward.

Pressure mounts on Netanyahu

The Israeli leader is also facing political pressure from within his governing coalition to take a tough position on Gaza.

With Israeli elections approaching, Netanyahu is expected to face increasing demands from right-wing members of his coalition to avoid concessions that could be interpreted as weakening Israel’s security position.

Some members of the far-right wing of the coalition have already expressed opposition to the proposed Gaza arrangement.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir was among those reported to have dismissed the draft plan as unacceptable, while there have also been calls from sections of the coalition for a fresh cabinet vote on the future of the Gaza plan.

The domestic political pressure could further complicate Netanyahu’s ability to negotiate concessions, even as the United States seeks to sustain momentum behind the peace initiative.

Ceasefire under pressure

The disagreement comes despite an initial ceasefire agreed in Gaza last October.

Israel has, however, continued to carry out military strikes in the territory, underlining the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the difficulty of transitioning from a temporary halt in hostilities to a more comprehensive political agreement.

The question of Hamas’ weapons remains one of the most sensitive issues in any future settlement.

For Israel, the disarmament of Hamas is central to its security demands and any withdrawal of its forces from Gaza.

For Hamas, however, surrendering heavy weapons without clear guarantees on an end to Israeli military operations and a complete withdrawal could be viewed as unacceptable.

The two sides are therefore locked in a dispute over who should take the first major step.

Gaza faces humanitarian crisis

The continuing uncertainty over the peace process comes against the backdrop of a devastating humanitarian situation in Gaza.

According to the United Nations, about 1.9 million people, representing roughly 90 per cent of Gaza’s population, have been displaced since the war began.

Large parts of the territory have also suffered extensive destruction, making reconstruction one of the central pillars of any post-war peace arrangement.

The Gaza war began after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities.

The subsequent Israeli military campaign has resulted in widespread destruction and a prolonged humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The latest disagreement over the 15-point plan underscores the enormous political and security challenges facing mediators seeking to end the conflict.

Uncertain road ahead

With Israel rejecting the document in its current form and Hamas insisting that disarmament must be linked to an Israeli withdrawal and an end to military action, the future of Trump’s peace plan now appears uncertain.

A possible compromise could require a phased approach in which disarmament and the withdrawal of Israeli forces are implemented under international monitoring and with agreed security guarantees.

However, reaching such an arrangement will require both sides to make difficult concessions, something that remains challenging given the deep mistrust built up during years of conflict.

For now, Netanyahu has made Israel’s position clear: there will be no military pull-out until Hamas is genuinely disarmed.

Whether US-led diplomatic efforts can bridge the gap between Israel’s demands and Hamas’ conditions may determine the future of the latest attempt to chart a path towards lasting peace in Gaza.