Netanyahu Rejects Trump-Backed Gaza Ceasefire Plan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a Gaza ceasefire plan developed under US leadership, despite Hamas agreeing to the proposal. Netanyahu announced on Sunday (August 9) that Israel would not accept the 15-point plan approved by Hamas in late July, according to AFP.

Netanyahu said Israeli forces would not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed. He also warned that Israel would continue to respond to any threat against its soldiers or citizens.

The decision has highlighted growing differences between Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump. Trump has described the ceasefire plan as an important step toward establishing peace in Gaza. Although Netanyahu called Trump Israel’s “biggest friend” in the White House, he said he was prepared to disagree with him when necessary.

Netanyahu said some parts of the proposal were acceptable to Israel, but other provisions could not be accepted. He insisted that Israel would maintain its position on those issues.

Israel is scheduled to hold its next election on October 27. It will be the country’s first election since the Gaza war began following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Recent opinion polls suggest Netanyahu is running almost level with some rivals and trailing others.

Meanwhile, far-right members of Netanyahu’s coalition have also been pressuring him to reject the Gaza plan, adding to the political challenges facing the Israeli prime minister.