Israel: Netanyahu Rejects 15-Point Gaza Plan, Insists on Full Hamas Disarmament

Speaking at the start of a Cabinet meeting Sunday, Netanyahu said Israel would not accept what he characterized as a merely symbolic disarmament process. His objections center on the sequence of the proposal, which links Hamas' disarmament to a phased Israeli withdrawal and the transfer of Gaza's administration to a U.S.-backed Palestinian committee. Netanyahu also reaffirmed his opposition to the creation of a Palestinian state and insisted that Israel must retain the ability to act against threats from Gaza.

"I wish to be precise here: Israel rejects the 15-point document, Netanyahu said. The prime minister said Israel would not begin the phased troop withdrawal envisioned by the plan before Hamas surrendered its entire arsenal. "The IDF will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed, he said, defining that demand broadly as covering the heavy weapons, the less-heavy weapons, all weapons.