Netanyahu Rejects Trump's Gaza Plan, Vows No Pullout Until Hamas Disarms

OCCUPIED PALESTINE: Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, rejected on Sunday a Gaza proposal that was earlier endorsed by US President Donald Trump. Netanyahu declared that there would be no Israeli withdrawal from Gaza unless and until Hamas gets fully disarmed.

Netanyahu Rejects Gaza Plan Weeks of Escalating Criticism End in Rejection

Netanyahu Rejects Gaza Plan after days of growing opposition to the same within a week, with the right wing of his party pushing back against him amid approaching elections. “Israel rejects the 15-point proposal,” Netanyahu declared, dismissing a proposal endorsed by Hamas in late July.

In comments made at the cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said that "the IDF will not withdraw until Hamas is genuinely disarmed and will continue to obstruct all threats directed against our forces and citizens." The remarks made clear reference to the central issue dividing Israel from the proposed terms of ceasefire agreement.

It was the most recent effort in the U.S.-brokered ceasefire that began last October, leading to a reduction but no stopping of military operations against Gaza by the Israelis. The plan called for the handing over of weapons by Hamas to a new Palestinian administration while Israel begins withdrawing troops simultaneously with such disarming measures being undertaken. However, Israel has firmly opposed the move and stated its refusal to consider withdrawal until weapons have been completely destroyed.

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In a dramatic U-turn reported after talks between Netanyahu and members of the Board of Peace in the last week, which was set up under President Donald Trump to oversee the peace process, the Board said that Israel needed to pull out only once Hamas was “fully” disarmed.

This change seems to bring the Board of Peace closer to Netanyahu’s conditions; however, there is uncertainty regarding the implications of such an alteration to the overall ceasefire agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who serves as Israel’s prime minister, finds himself in a dead heat election fight in order to retain office, with increasing demands coming from his right-wing coalition partners for him to call a fresh vote in his cabinet and terminate the Gaza proposal completely.

Addressing the press conference after his meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted that Israel was still engaging in talks regarding its concerns with the American side. "They have proposals; some we can agree with, others not so much, but we certainly know how to defend ourselves on these issues," Netanyahu said.

According to Netanyahu, Hamas needs to completely lay down arms, which he described as unrealistic based on present-day realities, especially after statements issued by various members of the Board of Peace. “Disarmament should be genuine and not imaginary,” Netanyahu said, highlighting a major difference between the Israeli government’s demands and those regarded as possible solutions by the international community.