Netanyahu Spurns Trump Gaza Plan, Vows No Pullout Until Hamas Disarms

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's 15-point plan for Gaza, saying the military will not withdraw until Hamas is "genuinely" disarmed. "Israel rejects the 15-point document, Netanyahu said at a cabinet meeting on Sunday, adding that the military "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed and will continue to thwart threats against our forces and our citizens. Trump's Board of Peace said last month it had reached an agreement for the "complete disarmament" of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza.

But Hamas said handing over its heavy weapons was contingent on Israel ending "all forms of aggression" and withdrawing its forces from Gaza. Netanyahu dismissed the possibility of a "fictitious disarmament" and said he was in discussions with U.S. officials about how to proceed. The rejection marks another blow to Trump's Gaza peace plan, announced in September last year, and comes just months before Israeli elections, making concessions unlikely for the prime minister. Israel has continued strikes on Gaza since agreeing to an initial ceasefire in October.