Israel rejects US Gaza peace plan without full Hamas disarmament

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a 15-point US-backed peace proposal for Gaza, declaring that Israeli troops will not withdraw until Hamas is fully disarmed. Addressing his cabinet in televised remarks, Netanyahu stated that "Israel rejects the 15-point document" and reaffirmed that military forces "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed."

The rejection highlights a growing diplomatic rift between Israel and Washington, coming shortly after US President Donald Trump presented the framework. Although Israeli military strikes in Gaza have largely paused under American influence, Netanyahu faces intense political pressure ahead of Israel's national election on October 27. The prime minister is balancing demands from his far-right coalition partners against diplomatic alignment with the United States.

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