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

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

In remarks delivered to his cabinet, Netanyahu stated that "Israel rejects the 15-point document" accepted by Hamas in late July. He insisted that the Israeli military "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed" while continuing operations to counter threats against its forces.

The public dismissal highlights mounting friction between the Israeli leadership and Washington over postwar governance in Gaza. Netanyahu continues to face complex political pressures ahead of upcoming elections, navigating demands from far-right coalition partners while managing relations with his primary international ally.

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