Netanyahu rejects US-backed Gaza plan, demands Hamas disarmament

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected the 15-point plan for Gaza promoted by the US-backed Peace Council, insisting that Israeli forces will not withdraw until Hamas is completely disarmed. The plan, announced by President Donald Trump on July 30, was accepted by Hamas, which conditioned its disarmament on a full Israeli withdrawal. Netanyahu's rejection marks a significant rift with Washington, though he described Trump as his "greatest friend in the White House" and said Israel remains in talks with the US Source: CNN, El Nacional.

The core dispute

The central disagreement is the sequencing of steps. Netanyahu demands that Hamas hand over all weapons—"heavy, less heavy, all"—before any Israeli withdrawal, calling for a "real, not fictitious" disarmament Source: El Caribe. Hamas, while affirming its commitment to the plan, insists that disarmament is contingent on Israel's complete withdrawal and the establishment of a Palestinian state Source: La Voz. The Peace Council's chief diplomat, Nickolay Mladenov, has stated that withdrawal beyond the "Yellow Line" will only occur after disarmament is complete, aligning with Israel's position Source: La República.

Political context

Netanyahu's stance is widely seen as driven by domestic politics ahead of the October 27 elections, where polls show him trailing the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot Source: La Vanguardia. His far-right coalition partners, including Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, have celebrated the rejection, with Smotrich declaring that "the army cannot retreat a single millimeter" Source: El Día. Analysts suggest that no significant progress on the plan is likely until a new Israeli government is formed in early 2027 Source: Infobae.

International reaction

Hamas has called on the US to pressure Netanyahu to adhere to the roadmap, while Turkey and Egypt, key mediators, have urged implementation of the plan Source: Hoy. The White House had earlier warned that Trump would be "very, very disappointed" if Israel did not comply Source: La Voz. Despite the tensions, Trump maintains that his relationship with Netanyahu is "very good" Source: Infobae.