Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a US-backed plan for Gaza, stating in a social media video that Israel did not agree to the draft proposal. While the plan includes assurances that Israeli forces would only withdraw after Hamas disarms, Netanyahu clarified that the current document is not an Israeli draft and that his government has submitted comments for revision.
Netanyahu Rejects US-Backed Gaza Disarmament Draft
The current diplomatic friction centers on a proposal from the team of US President Donald Trump. According to Netanyahu, the US team believes they can facilitate the demilitarization of Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas. Despite these goals, Netanyahu explicitly stated, “We did not agree to it, it is not our draft.”
The Prime Minister previously met with the US-backed Board of Peace on Monday. During those talks, he received guarantees that the Israeli army would maintain its current positions in Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed.
Did you know? The proposed plan includes the deployment of international peacekeeping troops in Gaza, a move already voted on by Israel’s security cabinet.
Internal Coalition Pressure and the Role of Far-Right Ministers
Netanyahu faces significant domestic pressure from the right flank of his ruling coalition. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Settlement Minister Orit Strook have requested a new vote on the plan, arguing the proposal does not reflect original discussions.
Tal Elovits, a researcher at the Israeli think tank Molad, characterizes this request as a “campaign move” intended to pressure the Prime Minister. Elovits notes that the Israeli right-wing typically seeks to avoid scenarios where the conflict becomes internationalized, as the presence of soldiers from countries like Indonesia or Kosovo would alter the IDF’s operational behavior.
This political instability coincides with primary voting in the Likud Party. Israeli media reported that a scheduled security cabinet meeting was postponed to tomorrow due to these primaries, which precede the October 27 elections where Netanyahu faces a tight race.
Shift in IDF Strike Authorization Protocols
While political negotiations stall, operational changes are appearing on the ground. Reports from Haaretz and other Israeli media outlets indicate that US pressure to curb attacks ahead of a partial withdrawal is impacting military directives.
Troops have reportedly been instructed to seek authorization from the Chief of Staff for strikes, unless they are facing “immediate danger.” This marks a departure from previous protocols, where approval was only required from the head of the regional command. When questioned about this shift, the Israeli military referred the inquiry to the “political echelon,” and a spokesperson for Netanyahu declined to comment.
Israel’s Diplomatic Position and the Trump Factor
The ability of Israel to reject the US-backed plan is limited by its current international standing. According to Tal Elovits of Molad, Israel lacks a concrete possibility of tearing up the plan due to its isolation in the international arena.
Elovits asserts that Netanyahu is not a proactive player in offering new solutions, but rather focuses on blocking specific ideas. He suggests that Netanyahu’s primary diplomatic lifeline is President Trump, stating the Prime Minister has “no other option besides listening to his only friend left in the diplomatic community.”
Comparison of Negotiating Positions
| US-Backed Plan | Netanyahu’s Stance |
|---|---|
| Proposes disarmament of Hamas followed by IDF withdrawal. | Rejects the specific draft; demands revisions to the text. |
| Deployment of international peacekeeping troops. | Security cabinet voted in favor, but far-right ministers demand a re-vote. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Netanyahu reject the US-backed plan?
Netanyahu stated that the draft sent by the US team was not an Israeli draft and that his government has sent comments to revise it, despite receiving assurances regarding Hamas’s disarmament.
Who is opposing the deal within the Israeli government?
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Settlement Minister Orit Strook have called for a new vote, claiming the plan deviates from original discussions.
How has the IDF’s operational policy changed?
According to Haaretz, strikes now generally require authorization from the Chief of Staff rather than just the regional command, except in cases of immediate danger.
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