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”.
“The IDF will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed, and it will continue to thwart threats against our forces and citizens,” Netanyahu added.
He was responding to the so-called “roadmap” published on July 30 by the Board of Peace, an international consortium tasked with implementing US President Donald Trump’s post-war vision for the ravaged Palestinian territory. The president quickly lauded the roadmap as an “historic agreement” and “a major milestone.”
There was no immediate comment from the US Embassy in Jerusalem.
