Netanyahu Rejects Trump Peace Plan Requiring Hamas Disarmament

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a 15-point peace roadmap proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump and the Board of Peace. The plan seeks the complete disarmament of Hamas and a transition to civilian governance by the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza in exchange for a phased Israeli military withdrawal. While Hamas declared its readiness to implement the agreement and hand over weapons, Netanyahu maintains that the Israeli military will not withdraw from its current positions until Hamas is genuinely disarmed of all light and heavy weaponry.

Diplomatic friction emerged after President Trump hailed the agreement as a monumental step toward peace. Netanyahu countered that the public version of the roadmap does not reflect Israel's positions and described the draft as unacceptable. To resolve these discrepancies, Board of Peace envoy Nickolay Mladenov met with Netanyahu in Jerusalem, clarifying that withdrawal beyond the Yellow Line would only occur after decommissioning is complete. Despite these talks, far-right cabinet members, including Bezalel Smotrich, pressured Netanyahu to formally reject the deal and resume major military offensives.

Amid the deadlock, the Israel Defense Forces updated operational procedures to require the personal approval of Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir for proactive strikes, following a request from Mladenov for a two-week halt to attacks. However, tensions remain high as Israel continues targeted operations against immediate threats, and Hamas conditions its disarmament on a full Israeli withdrawal and the cessation of airstrikes. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reaffirmed Tehran's support for any decisions made by Hamas during these negotiations.