Israel Dismisses Gaza Proposal, Insists on Hamas Disarmament

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that Israel has rejected a 15-point Gaza proposal from the Board of Peace. He emphasized that Israeli forces will not retreat from the area until Hamas relinquishes all its weapons.

“Israel rejects the 15-point Gaza document proposed by the Board of Peace,” Netanyahu declared during the Cabinet meeting. “The IDF will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed.”

Israel continues talks with the United States regarding Hamas’ disarmament. Netanyahu stressed that any agreement must ensure the complete surrender of Hamas’ arsenal.

“It needs to be genuine disarmament, not fictitious disarmament,” Netanyahu reiterated.

“When I say Hamas is disarmed, that means the heavy weapons, the less heavy weapons, all the weapons,” he added.

Hamas official Basem Naim conveyed that Hamas stays committed to a roadmap agreed upon with mediators and the Board of Peace representatives in Cairo 10 days ago. Naim stated that Hamas expects the United States and mediators to “press Netanyahu and his government to adhere to the roadmap.”

President Donald Trump previously highlighted the disarmament of Hamas in Gaza as a crucial step toward peace. However, Netanyahu’s recent comments reveal his skepticism about the current proposal from the Board of Peace. The Trump administration aims to move forward with a broader plan for Gaza after last year’s ceasefire agreement.

Last month, Trump announced a breakthrough in peace efforts, stating that Hamas had agreed to disarm. Hamas has controlled Gaza for nearly two decades, with the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel acting as a catalyst for the ongoing conflict.

Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s rejection of U.S.-backed proposals that don’t meet his government’s criteria. He expressed his opposition to establishing a Palestinian state in Gaza or the West Bank, stating, “As long as I am prime minister, there will be no Palestinian state, not in Gaza and not in Judea and Samaria.”

Netanyahu’s stance underscores the difficulties in transforming the ceasefire into a lasting resolution, particularly concerning Hamas’ disarmament and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. He indicated that Israel will persist in working with the U.S. but will maintain its security demands, especially the full disarmament of Hamas before any military withdrawal from Gaza.

Netanyahu also addressed recent Israeli military actions in Lebanon, emphasizing their significance. Regarding Iran, he highlighted Israel’s readiness to retaliate strongly if threatened by Tehran, praising Trump and the U.S.-Israel alliance for their efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

“I greatly appreciate President Trump,” Netanyahu stated. “He is the greatest of our friends in the White House. Our alliance against Iran’s nuclear ambitions is crucial.”

Netanyahu concluded by asserting, “With or without an agreement, as long as I am prime minister, Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. The existence of our country, Israel, is non-negotiable.”