With Elections Only a Few Months Away, Netanyahu Is Expected to Avoid Appearing to Make Concessions

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's 15-point plan for Gaza, saying there will be no military withdrawal until Hamas is truly disarmed. "Israel rejects the 15-point document, Netanyahu said at a cabinet meeting on Sunday, August 9. "The Israeli army will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is truly disarmed and will continue to prevent threats to our forces and citizens. The U.S.-led Peace Council announced last month that an agreement had been reached on the "complete disarmament" of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza.

However, Hamas said handing over its heavy weapons depends on Israel ending "all aggression" and withdrawing its forces from Gaza. Netanyahu said Hamas must disarm before Israel withdraws its forces from Gaza, and this cannot be a "fictional disarmament. He added that he is currently in talks with U.S. officials on how to proceed: "They have ideas; some are acceptable to us, some are not, and we know how to maintain our position on these matters.

The diplomacy over the Gaza plan is also affected by Israel's domestic politics. With elections only a few months away, Netanyahu is expected to avoid appearing to make concessions. His far-right allies, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir who called the draft "unacceptable, have called for a new cabinet vote and an end to the Gaza plan.

This development is another obstacle for Trump's Gaza peace plan announced last September. The plan included establishing the Peace Council to oversee implementation, disarming Hamas, withdrawing Israeli troops, and rebuilding Gaza. While some people told the BBC they see a glimmer of hope, the announcement has so far not generated much excitement in Gaza.

After years of failed ceasefires and collapsed agreements, many Palestinians view any new political deal with deep skepticism. Israel launched an attack on Gaza just hours after Trump announced the deal, reportedly wounding many Palestinians. More than two million Palestinians live in extremely harsh conditions in Gaza, battling disease and lacking access to food, clean water, and adequate shelter.

As Israel continues building territorial barriers, displacing more families and expanding the temporary control zone called the "Yellow Line deeper into Gaza, people are forced to live in an increasingly shrinking area. According to Gaza Health Ministry data, at least 1,168 Palestinians, including children, have been killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire took effect. During the same period, four Israeli soldiers were killed in Palestinian attacks in Gaza.

Satellite imagery examined by BBC Verify last November showed Israel has demolished more than 1,500 buildings in areas it controls in Gaza since the ceasefire. It is noted that the real number is likely much higher as imagery for some areas is unavailable. According to UN estimates, about 60 million tons of debris have been created since October 2023.