Netanyahu Rejects Trump's Gaza Plan Over Hamas Disarmament
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- Netanyahu rejected Trump's 15-point plan for Gaza at a cabinet meeting on Sunday, declaring the Israeli military "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed."
- Trump's Board of Peace said last month it had reached an agreement for the "complete disarmament" of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza.
- Hamas conditioned handing over its heavy weapons on Israel ending "all forms of aggression" and withdrawing its forces from Gaza.
- Israel has continued carrying out strikes on Gaza since agreeing to an initial ceasefire in the territory last October.
- Netanyahu said he would not accept "fictitious disarmament" and is now in discussion with US officials on how to proceed.
- The rejection lands just months before Israeli elections, making concessions politically unlikely for the prime minister.
- The move deals another blow to Trump's Gaza peace plan, which was originally announced in September of last year.
Why it matters: Netanyahu's public rejection — coming just months before Israeli elections and amid continued strikes despite the October ceasefire — effectively freezes Trump's diplomatic initiative. With Hamas conditioning disarmament on an Israeli withdrawal and Netanyahu demanding disarmament before any withdrawal, the two core positions appear irreconcilable without sustained US pressure on Israel.
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