Netanyahu rejects US Gaza peace proposal demanding Hamas disarmament

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a 15-point Gaza peace proposal backed by US President Donald Trump, declaring that Israeli military forces will not pull out of the territory until Hamas is fully disarmed. Speaking to his cabinet, Netanyahu stated that the military "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed and will continue to thwart threats against our forces."

The rejection highlights an escalating rift between Jerusalem and Washington, following Trump's recent declaration of a diplomatic breakthrough. Although Hamas previously endorsed the framework and Israeli combat operations have slowed amid American diplomatic pressure, Netanyahu faces conflicting internal and external political demands ahead of Israel's national election scheduled for October 27.

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