Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a US-backed proposal aimed at advancing a ceasefire and political settlement in Gaza, despite Hamas agreeing to the plan.
Netanyahu announced the decision on Sunday, saying Israel would not accept the 15-point proposal and would not withdraw its forces from Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed.
He told his cabinet that the Israeli military would continue to act against threats to its troops and citizens, insisting that any withdrawal must come only after Hamas has genuinely surrendered its weapons.
The move puts Netanyahu at odds with US President Donald Trump, who had described the agreement as a major step towards peace.
Although Netanyahu praised Trump as Israel’s “greatest friend in the White House”, he said Israel would continue to challenge provisions it considered unacceptable.
The Israeli leader is also facing mounting political pressure ahead of the October 27 elections, with opinion polls showing his support remains uncertain.
His right-wing allies have strongly opposed the Gaza proposal, with far-right members of his government urging him not to accept any arrangement they believe could leave Hamas armed.
Hamas, which recently announced support for the proposal, has called on Washington and other mediators to pressure Netanyahu to implement the agreement.
Bassem Naim, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, accused Netanyahu of allowing political and electoral considerations to obstruct the process.
Under the proposed arrangement, Hamas would surrender its weapons to an emerging Palestinian governing authority, while Israeli forces would gradually withdraw from Gaza as disarmament progressed.
Netanyahu, however, has rejected that sequence, insisting that Israeli troops must remain until Hamas has been completely disarmed.
Egypt, a key mediator in the negotiations, has urged all sides to honour their commitments and avoid actions that could jeopardise the fragile progress towards a settlement.
Meanwhile, Israeli military operations in Gaza have continued, although they appear to have reduced since the latest deal was announced.
Gaza civil defence spokesman Mahmoud Bassal said Israeli gunfire on Sunday injured a child in Khan Yunis who was later taken to hospital.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, which operates under Hamas authority, Israeli operations have killed 1,258 Palestinians since the ceasefire. The Israeli military has reported five deaths among its forces over the same period.
