Israel rejects Trump peace plan for Gaza, demands Hamas disarmament first

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly rejected a 15-point peace plan for Gaza put forth by Donald Trump's "Board of Peace." Netanyahu reiterated on Sunday that Israel will not withdraw its forces from Gaza until the militant group Hamas has been genuinely disarmed of all its weapons.

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Now I say it again: Israel rejects the 15-point document.

The plan, presented in late July, had garnered support from Hamas and was seen as a potential phase in a U.S.-backed ceasefire. It reportedly included provisions for Hamas to hand over its weapons to a Palestinian governing body and for Israel to conduct a gradual withdrawal from Gaza. However, the latter point has faced significant Israeli opposition.

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The IDF (the Israeli army) will not carry out a withdrawal before Hamas is disarmed.

Netanyahu clarified that Israel's stance remains firm: no withdrawal will occur before a "real disarmament" of Hamas, encompassing both heavy and light weaponry. He emphasized that the disarmament must be genuine, not a superficial or fictional one. Recent Israeli military operations in Gaza appear to have decreased in intensity, but the core demand for Hamas's disarmament before any Israeli withdrawal persists. Netanyahu faces domestic pressure from his right-wing base regarding any potential Gaza agreement.

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And when I say Hamas must be disarmed, I mean the heavy weapons, the less heavy weapons – all weapons. And there must be real disarmament, not a fictional one of that kind.