Netanyahu Rejects Trump’s 15-Point Gaza Plan, Vows No Israeli Withdrawal Until Hamas Disarms

Middle East Crisis Live: Netanyahu Rejects US’s Gaza Plan and Vows No Withdrawal Until Hamas Disarms Israel Rejects Trump’s 15-Point Plan to Disarm Hamas In a significant setback to US-backed peace efforts, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has flatly rejected the 15-point plan aimed at disarming Hamas militants in Gaza. The plan, hailed as a major breakthrough by US President Donald Trump, has now been all but scuppered following Netanyahu’s categorical refusal to support it. The Israeli premier made his position clear in a televised address to the nation, stressing that Israel would not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas, the Islamist movement responsible for its occupation since 2007, surrendered its arsenal..

The 15-point plan, announced last month by Trump’s Board of Peace, had been touted as a major step forward in resolving the decades-long conflict between Israel and Hamas. Under the proposal, Israel would gradually withdraw from Gaza, while Hamas, in return, would disarm and dismantle its terrorist infrastructure. However, Netanyahu’s stance has all but ruled out any possibility of implementation, sparking widespread concern in Washington and among Palestinians..

Netanyahu’s rejection of the plan has been condemned by senior Hamas officials, who accused Israel of seeking to destroy the peace process and maintain its grip on Gaza. In an exclusive interview with AFP, Bassem Naim, a senior member of Hamas’s political bureau, expressed frustration over Netanyahu’s intransigence. We expect the mediators and the American guarantor to pressure Netanyahu and his Government to adhere to the roadmap and not obstruct the process for internal political and electoral reasons, Naim said, urging the international community to intervene..

The US has played a key role in promoting the 15-point plan, with Trump personally intervening in negotiations to secure a breakthrough. However, Netanyahu’s rejection has dealt a major blow to the administration’s hopes of winning a lasting peace in the region. As the White House grapples with the implications of this decision, officials remain adamant that the plan remains on the table..

We’re not giving up on this, said a senior US official, on condition of anonymity. We’re willing to work with Israel to address its concerns and find a way forward. Meanwhile, Palestinians have expressed deep disappointment over Netanyahu’s rejection, with many viewing it as a death blow to the peace process..

In Gaza, protests against Israel’s occupation have continued to mount, with demonstrators calling for an end to the blockade and an immediate Israeli withdrawal. The decision by Netanyahu will further inflame tensions and raise the stakes in an already volatile region. Israel’s decision to reject the plan has also sparked concerns over the implications for regional security..

Analysts warn that continued tensions between Israel and Hamas will fuel instability in the Middle East, creating space for extremist groups to exploit. This is a recipe for disaster, said Dr. Nathan Thrall, an expert on Gaza and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict..

We’re seeing a repeat of the same pattern of failed negotiations and unresolved conflict. It’s catastrophic for the people of Gaza and for the wider region. As the crisis deepens, international pressure is mounting on Netanyahu to reconsider his stance..

Diplomatic efforts are underway to persuade Israel to return to the negotiating table, with key players such as Egypt, Jordan, and the European Union all urging restraint. However, Netanyahu remains resolute, refusing to budge on demands for Hamas to disarm before a Israeli withdrawal. The decision by Netanyahu will also fuel concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, which has faced years of crippling Israeli blockade..

Gaza’s economy has been in free fall, with unemployment soaring to over 50%. A lasting resolution to the conflict is seen as essential to preventing further humanitarian suffering and stabilizing the region. Senior Hamas officials have also threatened to resume rocket attacks against Israel, citing Netanyahu’s rejection as a clear indication that Israel has no intention of fulfilling its commitments under the plan..

We will not be silenced or intimidated by these tactics, said a senior Hamas commander. The people of Gaza will see this as a call to arms, and we will act accordingly. In a stark warning, a senior Israeli security official hinted at the possibility of a new military operation in Gaza, citing Netanyahu’s rejection of the US-backed plan..

If Hamas persists in its refusal to disarm, we will take all necessary steps to protect our citizens and our sovereignty, the official said, in a statement leaked to the press. Meanwhile, Palestinian leaders have accused Netanyahu of sabotaging the peace process for domestic political gain. In a scathing critique, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas lashed out at Netanyahu, accusing him of deliberately undermining the talks and playing with fire..

Netanyahu’s actions are a slap in the face to the American administration and a clear indication of his complete rejection of peace, Abbas said, in a statement released by his office. As tensions continue to rise, hopes of a lasting resolution to the conflict have taken a beating. The rejection by Netanyahu of the 15-point plan has plunged the peace process into its deepest crisis for years, with no clear way forward in sight..

Despite the optimism expressed last month by Trump and other key players, the Gaza crisis now looks more intractable than ever. With international efforts to broker a deal faltering, it remains to be seen whether either side will be willing to make the concessions necessary to secure a lasting resolution to the conflict. The international community is bracing itself for the fallout from Netanyahu’s decision, with diplomats and analysts scrambling to assess the implications for regional stability and global security..

As the crisis deepens, the world waits with bated breath to see if Israel and Hamas will find a way forward, or if this latest attempt at peace will ultimately succumb to the same fate as all those that have come before it. This report will continue to provide updates and analysis of the ongoing crisis..