Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly rejected US President Donald Trump's 15-point plan for a ceasefire in Gaza, insisting that the Israeli military will not withdraw from the enclave until Hamas is fully disarmed. "I want to be clear: Israel does not accept the 15-point document," Netanyahu said during an Israeli cabinet meeting on Sunday, repeating it later to avoid any ambiguity. His stance risks creating a direct clash with Donald Trump, who has been trying for days to promote his plan to end the war in Gaza.
According to the plan, Hamas's disarmament would take place in parallel with the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. But Netanyahu has opposed this mechanism. "The IDF will not make any withdrawal until Hamas disarms," he said, emphasizing that it is about eliminating all weapons, heavy and light. The Peace Council envoy, Nickolay Mladenov, said, meanwhile, that a gradual process remains possible, but only if Hamas's disarmament is verified on the ground. "Nobody is obliged to do anything, least of all Israel, before there are verified steps on the ground," Mladenov declared.
Hamas, on the other hand, has stated that it remains committed to the plan and has asked the Peace Council to pressure Netanyahu to implement it. But after the Israeli prime minister’s statements, the main question is why Netanyahu chose to publicly challenge Trump. Part of the answer has to do with domestic Israeli politics. With elections approaching, Netanyahu faces pressure from right-wing and far-right parties in his coalition, which oppose any Israeli withdrawal from Gaza before Hamas is eliminated.
For Netanyahu, the support of these forces could be crucial to his political survival after the election. Meanwhile, a US official has hinted that despite the public clash, there may still be cooperation between the parties behind the scenes. The new situation risks opening a sharp Netanyahu-Trump rift, precisely at a time when the US administration is trying to push forward with a plan for a ceasefire and stabilization of Gaza.
