Netanyahu rejects US Gaza peace plan, demanding Hamas disarm before withdrawal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a 15-point Gaza peace framework championed by US President Donald Trump, insisting Israeli forces will remain in the enclave until Hamas fully relinquishes its weapons.

Addressing his cabinet in televised remarks, Netanyahu stated that "Israel rejects the 15-point document" and confirmed that troops "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed." The announcement underscores growing tension between Washington and Jerusalem, even as Israeli military activity in Gaza has moderated amid American diplomatic pressure.

Netanyahu’s firm stance comes ahead of Israel's national election scheduled for October 27, where he is navigating political demands from far-right coalition partners alongside expectations from his key international ally in the White House. Meanwhile, regional instability persists elsewhere, with reports of Houthi militant strikes targeting infrastructure in Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

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