Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected US President Donald Trump's 15-point plan for Gaza, declaring that Israel's military will not withdraw from the territory until Hamas is "genuinely" disarmed.

Trump's Board of Peace announced last month that it had reached an agreement for the "complete disarmament" of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza. However, Hamas has conditioned the handing over of its heavy weapons on Israel ending "all forms of aggression" and withdrawing its forces from Gaza.

Israel has continued to carry out strikes on Gaza since agreeing to an initial ceasefire in the territory last October. At a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu said, "Israel rejects the 15-point document," adding that the Israeli military "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed and will continue to thwart threats against our forces and our citizens."

A Hamas official told the BBC on Sunday that the group "reaffirms its commitment" to the agreement and is ready "to engage seriously and responsibly in implementing" the 15-point plan.

Israel's rejection marks another setback for Trump's Gaza peace plan, which was announced in September last year. Just over a week ago, Trump described Hamas's agreement to disarm as a "monumental step toward lasting peace and security," contingent on Israel withdrawing its forces. He emphasized that Hamas's disarmament must be real, not "some fictitious disarmament."

Sources