Netanyahu Rejects U.S.-Backed Gaza Plan, Distancing From Trump Again

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a U.S.-backed plan for Gaza that Hamas has accepted, marking another divergence from his ally Donald Trump amid a tight Israeli election race. The plan, championed by U.S. "Peace Council" representative Nikolaï Mladenov, is seen as the "only way forward" to prevent another Oct. 7-style attack.

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Israel rejects the 15-point document. Israeli forces will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is truly disarmed and will continue to neutralize threats against our forces and our citizens.

Netanyahu, facing pressure from his far-right allies, has increasingly criticized the plan announced by Trump in late July. The proposal includes Hamas disarming and Israel withdrawing from the Palestinian territory. "Israel rejects the 15-point document," Netanyahu stated Sunday during a cabinet meeting. "Israeli forces will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is truly disarmed and will continue to neutralize threats against our forces and our citizens."

The document is theoretically the final stage of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that began in October, reducing but not ending Israeli operations in Gaza. Hamas, which has governed Gaza since 2007, accepted the deal, which would require them to hand over weapons to a nascent Palestinian authority for a transitional period. A Hamas political bureau member, Basem Naim, urged the U.S. to "pressure Netanyahu and his government to stick to the roadmap and not obstruct the process for internal political and electoral reasons."

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The U.S. should pressure Netanyahu and his government to stick to the roadmap and not obstruct the process for political and electoral reasons.

Netanyahu referred to Trump as his "greatest friend in the White House" but asserted Israel's independence in decision-making. "They have ideas; some are acceptable to us and some are not, and we know how to stand firm on these matters," he said, confirming ongoing conversations with Washington. Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader, is seeking re-election on October 27, facing polls that place him even with or behind rivals. The Gaza plan is reportedly unpopular with his conservative base and far-right partners.

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They have ideas; some are acceptable to us and some are not, and we know how to stand firm on these matters.