Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a proposal by US-backed mediators for disarming Hamas, hardening his position after earlier voicing misgivings at the suggestion that Israel reciprocate with phased pullouts from Gaza.

“Israel does not accept the 15-point document,” Netanyahu told his weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, according to an official translation. In his original remarks, he used a Hebrew verb that could be understood as “Israel rejects” or “rules out”.