Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally turned down a 15-point peace initiative for Gaza proposed by US President Donald Trump. Netanyahu asserted that the Israeli military would maintain its presence in the region until Hamas undergoes a verifiable and absolute disarmament process.
Trump’s peace committee previously claimed to have secured an agreement regarding the removal of heavy weaponry from armed groups in Gaza. However, Hamas has maintained that any such action depends on Israel ceasing all military operations and withdrawing its troops from the territory. Despite a ceasefire established in October, Israel has persisted with strikes in Gaza.
During a cabinet session held on Sunday, Netanyahu emphasized that his administration would not accept a superficial disarmament. He stated that the military is currently working with American officials to determine the next steps, noting that any withdrawal is impossible until the threat posed by Hamas is fully addressed. This rejection represents a significant setback for the peace plan introduced by President Trump last September, particularly as Netanyahu faces upcoming domestic elections.
