Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a 15-point peace plan for Gaza proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a report by CNN on September 9.
On July 30, Trump announced the peace plan through a committee he established, aimed at ensuring lasting peace in Gaza. The plan stipulates that Hamas would gradually transfer its weapons to a newly formed Palestinian government in Gaza, in exchange for Israel withdrawing more than half of its forces from the region it has occupied since a ceasefire in October. Hamas has also agreed to this plan, which initially aimed to establish a disarmament roadmap for Hamas within 14 days.
According to the report, Netanyahu insisted on complete disarmament of Hamas before any Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza. He stated, "I want to make it clear that Israel rejects the 15-point document. We are discussing this issue with the Americans, and we cannot accept some of their ideas." Netanyahu further emphasized, "As long as I am Prime Minister, a Palestinian state will not be established in Gaza or the West Bank."
Netanyahu's rejection of the U.S.-led peace plan is seen in the context of the upcoming elections in October. CNN noted that Netanyahu's right-wing coalition is trailing in polls, and he must balance U.S. pressure for peace with demands from hardline ministers within his government. The BBC also reported that with elections approaching and pressure from hardline members of the coalition regarding Gaza, Netanyahu is unlikely to make concessions on the issue.
Following Netanyahu's remarks, hardline politicians expressed their support. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated, "The IDF cannot retreat even one millimeter from Gaza."
Hamas has argued that the U.S. should pressure Israel to accept the peace plan. Bassem Naeem, a member of Hamas's political bureau, wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that he expects mediating countries and U.S. guarantors to pressure Netanyahu to adhere to the peace roadmap set by the U.S. and not to obstruct the peace process for internal political and electoral reasons.
On the same day, Netanyahu also took a hardline stance regarding Iran. Amid negotiations between Iran and Oman over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Netanyahu's position diverges from Trump's call to end the war and reopen the strait. According to the Guardian, Netanyahu stated in a cabinet meeting, "Whether or not there is an agreement between the U.S. and Iran, as long as I am Prime Minister, Iran will not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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