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

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

Despite an initial ceasefire agreed upon last October, Israel has continued military strikes in Gaza. At a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu stated, "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 the same day 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 a significant setback for Trump's Gaza peace initiative, which was first announced in September of the previous 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 from Gaza. Trump emphasized that Hamas's disarmament must be real and not "fictitious."

Sources