Netanyahu rejects Trump Gaza peace plan

Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected Donald Trump’s 15-point “Board of Peace” plan for Gaza, calling it unrealistic and a threat to Israel’s security. The Israeli prime minister said in a statement late Sunday that the proposal—reported by Sky News—would leave Hamas with the capacity to regroup and attack again. Netanyahu framed the plan as a direct risk to Israel’s long-term safety, warning that any framework allowing militants to remain armed would lead to “repeated wars.”

The plan, reportedly drafted by a team led by Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, aims to end the current conflict and stabilize Gaza through phased reconstruction and security guarantees. It allegedly includes a temporary ceasefire, international oversight of border crossings, and phased withdrawal of Israeli forces tied to hostage releases and the dismantling of Hamas’s military wing. But Netanyahu has insisted Hamas must be “dismantled,” not just weakened, and sees Trump’s plan as incompatible with that goal. The rejection reflects deep Israeli skepticism toward any deal that doesn’t ensure total defeat of Hamas, especially after the October 7 attacks.

The plan’s emergence follows months of stalled ceasefire talks and mounting international pressure on Israel to end the war, now in its seventh month. Over 34,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to local health officials, and the territory faces catastrophic humanitarian conditions. The U.S. has pushed for a deal that would include a post-war governance plan, potentially involving Arab states and moderate Palestinian factions. But Netanyahu’s coalition includes far-right ministers who oppose any Palestinian governance role and demand total military control.

Netanyahu’s rejection sets up a potential clash with Washington, which has been Israel’s main backer but has grown frustrated with the lack of a political horizon for Gaza. If Israel continues military operations without a clear exit strategy, the risk of a wider regional conflict rises. Meanwhile, Gaza’s population faces famine and displacement, increasing calls for immediate international intervention. The next move may come from the U.S., which could adjust its diplomatic stance or pressure Israel to compromise—though with Netanyahu’s government deeply divided and facing domestic protests, any concessions look unlikely in the short term.