Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly rejected a US-backed 15-point peace plan for Gaza on Sunday, stating during a Cabinet meeting that Israeli troops will not withdraw until Hamas is fully disarmed, according to regional reporting. The rejection breaks from a US roadmap championed by Donald Trump’s Board of Peace and came despite reports that Israeli military commanders had discussed implementation details of a pilot withdrawal just days earlier.
The disagreement places Netanyahu at odds with the Trump administration at a politically sensitive time. The 15-point document, which Hamas agreed to in late July, calls for a phased Israeli troop withdrawal alongside the complete surrender of Hamas weaponry, including heavy and light armaments, to pave the way for an International Stabilization Force and a new Palestinian police force. However, Netanyahu told his Cabinet, “Israel rejects the 15-point document,” adding that the military “will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed,” as reported by DW.
The public rebuke blindsided Israeli military leadership. According to Israel’s Channel 12 television, commanders had recently held meetings with Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to map out precise boundaries for three pilot areas in southern Gaza. A defense official told the station, “At the meetings that were held until now, the prime minister personally gave his consent to this plan and to a withdrawal from the points in Rafah.” Netanyahu’s office subsequently rejected reports that he discussed detailed withdrawal plans.
Electoral Pressures and Coalition Demands
With an Israeli general election scheduled for October 27, Netanyahu faces fierce domestic pressure from far-right coalition partners who oppose concessions and seek to intensify military operations and establish settlements inside Gaza. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich welcomed the prime minister’s stance, stating that the military “cannot withdraw even a millimetre from the Gaza Strip.” Analysts note that Netanyahu is running level with or behind political rivals in some polls, leading him to publicly placate his political base while juggling international demands.
The timing of the rejection coincided with a visit from Adm. Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, who delivered an in-person message from the Trump administration urging Israel to shut down military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, according to Israeli media reports. Defying Trump carries diplomatic and security risks for an internationally isolated Israel that relies heavily on US military supplies. Yet, Netanyahu has a history of defying American pressure, such as distancing himself from a May 2024 ceasefire plan announced by then-President Joe Biden.
Did You Know? Following a meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu in 1996, former US President Bill Clinton famously remarked, “Who’s the fucking superpower here?” highlighting a long track record of audacious political maneuvering by the Israeli leader in the face of international power imbalances.
US Response and On-the-Ground Implications
Washington has largely shrugged off Netanyahu’s latest remarks as electioneering, potentially mollified by recent military decisions that align with American wishes. Last week, Netanyahu raised the authorization threshold for airstrikes in Gaza, requiring targeted killings to be approved by the chief of staff rather than regional commanders unless forces face imminent danger. He has also limited military offensives in Lebanon and previously ordered fighter jets heading for Iran to turn back following US demands.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains severe. Palestinians have endured nearly a year of deadly limbo since Trump brokered an initial nominal ceasefire last October. Israeli attacks have killed over 1,200 people, and restrictions on the entry of equipment, fuel, and supplies have crippled reconstruction efforts for homes, schools, and medical facilities. Food security experts warn that over 70,000 children are projected to need treatment for acute malnutrition through April 2027.
What May Happen Next
Discussions regarding the future of the Gaza roadmap are expected to continue despite the current standoff. Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace’s high representative for Gaza, told Israeli media that talks are ongoing and defended the 15-point framework as the only viable path forward, noting that Israeli troops would eventually need to withdraw sector by sector once Hamas surrenders its weapons. However, with US midterm elections scheduled just a week after Israel’s late October vote, Washington’s patience with Netanyahu’s balancing act may soon reach its limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 15-point plan rejected by Netanyahu?
The plan is a US-backed roadmap drawn up by Trump’s Board of Peace that calls for a phased Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza as Hamas gives up its weapons, allowing an International Stabilization Force and a new Palestinian police force to secure the territory.
How has Hamas responded to the roadmap?
Hamas stated that it remains committed to the roadmap and agreed to hand over its weapons for storage under a US-backed Palestinian technocratic administration, contingent upon Israel fulfilling its own obligations to halt attacks and withdraw troops.
When are the upcoming Israeli elections?
Israel’s next national elections are scheduled for October 27, marking the country’s first vote since the outbreak of the war.
How will domestic political pressures in Israel shape the timeline of military operations in Gaza ahead of the October elections?
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