Netanyahu calculates upsetting Trump is his least-bad option

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has calculated that upsetting President Donald Trump is his least damaging option, opting to publicly reject the US-brokered roadmap for a Gaza ceasefire. In a clear and unambiguous statement, Netanyahu declared, "I wish to be precise: Israel does not accept the 15-point document."

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I wish to be precise: Israel does not accept the 15-point document.

During the weekly Israeli Cabinet meeting, Netanyahu reiterated his rejection twice, stating, "So here I am saying it again: Israel does not accept the 15-point document." This firm stance potentially risks drawing the ire of President Trump, who had recently reinvested in the Gaza issue, calling his Board of Peace's agreement with Hamas for complete disarmament a "historic agreement."

Netanyahu's rejection directly challenges the US proposal, which suggested a phased process where Israeli troop withdrawal would occur in tandem with Hamas surrendering its arms. "The IDF will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is disarmed. And when I say the disarming of Hamas, it means heavy weaponry, lighter weaponry, all weaponry. And we are talking about genuine disarmament, not fictitious disarmament," the Israeli leader asserted.

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The IDF will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is disarmed. And when I say the disarming of Hamas, it means heavy weaponry, lighter weaponry, all weaponry. And we are talking about genuine disarmament, not fictitious disarmament.

While Trump had remained silent on Netanyahu's remarks as of Sunday afternoon, Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace's top envoy, appeared to suggest on Israeli television that a phased process might still be possible, but emphasized Hamas would need to make the first move. Hamas responded soberly, stating its commitment to the roadmap and expecting the Board of Peace to pressure Netanyahu to comply. However, skepticism remains about Hamas's intention to relinquish all its weapons, which are seen as central to its leadership in Palestinian resistance.

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If there is verified decommissioning of weapons, that they are taken away from the factions and stored and ultimately rendered unusable, Israel then withdraws from Gaza.