Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly rejected a US-backed 15-point Gaza peace plan, insisting that military operations will continue until Hamas is fully disarmed.
The 15-Point Framework and Sunday’s Cabinet Rebuff
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a direct rebuff to Washington during a weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, explicitly rejecting a United States-backed 15-point peace plan for the Gaza Strip. The announcement shattered hopes for a swift diplomatic resolution to the multi-front regional crisis.
The document at the center of the dispute is a comprehensive 15-point roadmap crafted under the auspices of the Board of Peace, an international diplomatic mechanism instituted by US President Donald Trump following earlier hostage-release and ceasefire agreements. Unveiled formally on July 30, 2026, and led by executive director Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace sought to resolve the fundamental structural questions stalling a lasting resolution in Gaza.
Key provisions of the proposed framework included phased demilitarisation through the sequential surrendering of heavy artillery, rocket stockpiles, small arms, and the sealing of underground tunnel networks. The roadmap also outlined a transfer of administrative authority to a technocratic body known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, the introduction of an international stabilisation force, a gradual drawdown of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) formations, and measures to rebuild civilian infrastructure.
Netanyahu declared that the IDF will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas achieves total demilitarisation.
“The IDF will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed. And when I say the disarming of Hamas, it means heavy weaponry, lighter weaponry, all weaponry. And we are talking about genuine disarmament, not fictitious disarmament.”
Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, via Firstpost
Surprise Among Military Commanders and the US Response
Netanyahu’s remarks blindsided Israeli commanders who had been discussing implementation of the plan in meetings with the prime minister and Israeli chief of staff Eyal Zamir just days earlier, according to reporting by Channel 12 television.
The station also quoted a defence official stating that the prime minister personally gave his consent to the plan and to a withdrawal from points in Rafah during previous discussions.
The public attack on the peace plan followed a visit by Adm. Brad Cooper, who heads US Central Command, to deliver in person the message that the Trump administration wants Israel to end its wars in Gaza and Lebanon. A senior Israeli military officer told Channel 13 Television that the Americans’ message to the IDF was to move in the direction of shutting down all three theatres of operations.
For now, Washington has largely shrugged off Netanyahu’s comments as electioneering. Nickolay Mladenov, the top envoy for the Board of Peace, declined to comment on the rejection, telling Israeli media only that discussions continue.
Domestic Pressures and the Risk of Defying Washington
With an Israeli election looming in just over two months, Netanyahu is balancing competing demands from far-right coalition partners who want to intensify attacks and establish settlements against Trump’s push for a permanent settlement.
Netanyahu paired his rejection of the peace document with an explicit reiteration of his opposition to Palestinian sovereignty, declaring that as long as he is Prime Minister, there will be no Palestinian state in Gaza or the West Bank.
“Unlike all those who lecture us, we do what needs to be done for Israel’s security, and we can and know how to stand our ground, even against our best friends when necessary.”
Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, via Firstpost
Defying Trump carries diplomatic risks as Israel remains internationally isolated and dependent on US military supplies. However, Netanyahu has a history of political maneuvering against American pressure, evoking comparisons to a reported remark by Bill Clinton after meeting him in 1996: Who’s the fucking superpower here?
Navigating Military Adjustments and Regional Realities
Despite public rhetoric, military decisions indicate a more attentive regard for Washington’s wishes. Netanyahu scaled back airstrikes by raising the authorization threshold for attacks to the chief of staff, and previously limited offenses in Lebanon and turned back fighter jets heading for Iran.
As active conflicts continue to ripple across West Asia, parallel confrontations with Iran-backed proxies and a severe humanitarian crisis persist in the Palestinian enclave. While Netanyahu’s rhetorical stance aims to placate domestic allies during a compressed campaign season, US patience may wear thin as Washington approaches its own midterm elections.
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