Netanyahu Rejects US Proposal for Gaza, Insisting Hamas Must Disarm First

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed …

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed a US-backed plan for Gaza, declaring that Israel will not withdraw its forces until Hamas is completely disarmed. The plan, which was unveiled in late July, had been touted by former President Donald Trump as a breakthrough that would end the fighting.

The proposal, announced via a social media post by Trump, called for the "complete disarmament" of Hamas and other militant groups in the Gaza Strip, describing it as a "monumental step toward ending the conflict." However, Netanyahu's office has made clear that the plan's conditions are non-negotiable, and that Israel's military operations will continue until they are met.

Israeli officials have repeatedly cited Hamas's refusal to lay down its weapons as the primary reason for ongoing strikes and the lack of reconstruction efforts in Gaza. They also point to the group's failure to comply with the October demarcation line as a justification for Israeli forces gradually advancing beyond it.

The rejection sets the stage for further diplomatic

The rejection sets the stage for further diplomatic friction between Israel and the US, particularly as the plan had been seen as a potential framework for de-escalation. Netanyahu's stance underscores the deep mistrust between the two parties and complicates any near-term prospects for a negotiated settlement.

Meanwhile, humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain dire, with international aid agencies calling for immediate ceasefire and access to the enclave. The continued impasse highlights the challenges facing mediators seeking to broker a lasting peace in the region.