Netanyahu rejects Trump's Gaza roadmap, insists on Hamas disarmament

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly rejected a 15-point roadmap for Gaza announced by former U.S. President Donald Trump, emphasizing that Israel's military will not withdraw from the territory until Hamas is completely disarmed. Netanyahu's firm stance came during a cabinet meeting on Sunday.

"Israel rejects the 15-point document," Netanyahu declared in a video message released by his office. "The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will not withdraw until Hamas is disarmed. And when I say disarm Hamas, I mean all its weapons: the heavy ones, the less heavy ones, all of them. We are talking about a real disarmament, not a fictitious one."

Netanyahu also alluded to ongoing discussions with U.S. allies regarding "unacceptable" ideas for Israel. This follows Trump's July 30 announcement of a "historic agreement" brokered by the Peace Board for Hamas's total disarmament, aimed at advancing the second phase of a ceasefire.

The 15-point plan was intended to build upon an initial 20-point peace initiative. It reportedly required Israel to cease military operations and withdraw troops to at least the original 'yellow line' demarcation. However, Hamas officially accepted the plan only on the condition of a complete Israeli withdrawal, warning they would not disarm otherwise. A Peace Board representative later clarified that IDF withdrawal beyond the yellow line would only occur after Hamas's disarmament was complete.

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Israel rejects the 15-point document. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will not withdraw until Hamas is disarmed. And when I say disarm Hamas, I mean all its weapons: the heavy ones, the less heavy ones, all of them. We are talking about a real disarmament, not a fictitious one.