Chicago – August 10, 2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahuâs rejection of US President Donald Trumpâs 15-point Gaza plan may represent the position in a negotiation rather than its final outcome.
Netanyahu told his cabinet that Israel would not accept the document and that Israeli forces would not withdraw until Hamas surrendered its weapons, including heavy and light arms. He rejected any prospect of a Palestinian state while he remains prime minister. The position directly challenges the planâs sequencing, which links Hamasâs disarmament with a phased Israeli withdrawal.
Yet Netanyahu said Israel was discussing the proposal with Washington, acknowledging that some American ideas could be acceptable. That leaves room for amendments, especially as Trump presses for progress and operations have reportedly been curtailed under US pressure.
The central obstacle is verification. Israel demands what Netanyahu calls âgenuineâ disarmament, while Hamas has previously insisted on guarantees of an Israeli withdrawal and an end to the war. Mediators may seek a staged arrangement involving monitoring, security guarantees and reciprocal steps.
For now, rejection has raised tensions, but US-Israeli consultations suggest the diplomatic process is still not closed.
