Netanyahu rejects US-backed Gaza peace plan until Hamas disarms

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a 15-point Gaza peace proposal backed by US President Donald Trump, stating that Israeli troops will not pull out of the territory until Hamas is "genuinely disarmed."

In televised remarks on Sunday, Netanyahu publicly distanced his government from the framework, which Hamas accepted in late July. Although the Israeli military recently reduced major offensive operations following American diplomatic pressure, Netanyahu maintained that forces will stay in Gaza to counter ongoing threats.

The rejection underlines growing friction between Washington and Jerusalem as Netanyahu balances demands from far-right coalition partners with pressure from the United States ahead of Israel's national election scheduled for 27 October.

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