Netanyahu rejects US-backed Gaza peace plan, demanding Hamas disarm

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a 15-point Gaza peace initiative championed by US President Donald Trump, insisting Israeli troops will not pull out until Hamas is completely disarmed.

Addressing his cabinet, Netanyahu stated that Israel "rejects the 15-point document" and declared that the military "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed and will continue to thwart threats against our forces." The proposal had previously received conditional backing from Hamas in late July.

The announcement underscores growing friction between Washington and the Israeli leadership, despite Israeli military operations slowing in recent days under American diplomatic pressure. Netanyahu faces intense political scrutiny ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27, navigating competing demands from far-right coalition partners and his administration's primary international ally.

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