Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly rejected a US-backed peace proposal for Gaza, despite receiving fresh guarantees that Israeli forces would not have to withdraw until Hamas completely disarms. The development highlights a growing disconnect between Israel and its closest ally, even as the Palestinian armed group signals its willingness to move forward with the roadmap recently presented by the US administration.
In a video message shared on his social media platforms, Netanyahu made it clear that while Washington believes it can successfully disarm Hamas and demilitarize Gaza, Israel has not signed off on the current proposal. He confirmed that his government received the draft, flatly rejected it, and sent back a list of objections and comments.
On the ground, the Israeli military has shown no signs of scaling back operations. During a visit to troops in Gaza, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir stated that forces would continue their proactive campaign to hunt down those responsible for the October 7 attacks. He maintained that military operations have already severely weakened Hamas and reshaped the security landscape, promising that the army will continue to eliminate threats to safeguard Israeli communities.
The tension comes at a sensitive time for Netanyahu, who is facing intense pressure from far-right ministers within his own ruling coalition. Several key allies are demanding a new cabinet vote to formally throw out the plan, arguing it does not represent what was previously agreed upon. However, political analysts suggest that Netanyahu has very little room to maneuver. With Israel finding itself increasingly isolated internationally, completely rejecting a plan championed by Donald Trump is a highly risky gamble for the prime minister.
Meanwhile, Hamas has called on Washington and international mediators to hold Israel to the terms of the roadmap. Spokesman Hazem Qassem confirmed the group’s commitment to the negotiated points and urged the US team to pressure the Israeli government into taking concrete, practical steps toward implementing the agreement.
