Israel rejects US peace proposal for Gaza as Netanyahu demands full disarmament

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a 15-point Gaza peace proposal backed by US President Donald Trump, insisting Israeli military forces "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed."

The decision highlights a growing rift between Washington and Israel over the framework, which Hamas accepted in late July. Despite Netanyahu's public rejection, Israeli forces have recently scaled back strikes in the enclave following American diplomatic pressure. The prime minister is currently navigating domestic political pressure ahead of Israel's national election on 27 October, balancing demands from far-right coalition partners against relations with the White House.

In separate regional security developments, Houthi forces claimed responsibility for recent strikes targeting Yemen's Mokha port and a Saudi Aramco energy facility.

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