Israel rejects US Gaza peace plan over Hamas disarmament demand

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has explicitly rejected a 15-point Gaza peace proposal backed by US President Donald Trump, insisting that Israeli forces will not pull back without the complete disarmament of Hamas.

Speaking during a televised cabinet meeting, Netanyahu stated that the Israeli military "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed" and confirmed the dismissal of the framework, which Hamas had accepted in late July. The decision highlights growing diplomatic friction between Washington and Israel, even as Israeli military operations have recently slowed under American pressure. Netanyahu faces intense political strain ahead of Israel's October 27 election, caught between far-right coalition partners opposing concessions and US demands for progress. Separately, Houthi militants claimed responsibility for attacks against regional infrastructure, including Yemen's Mokha port and a Saudi oil facility.

Sources: Cyprus Mail, France24, STV News, The Guardian, The Herald.