Palestinians dismiss Israel's Gaza plan rejection

Palestinians in Gaza have reacted with scepticism and frustration after Israel rejected a 15-point US-backed plan to end the war and outline a future framework for the territory.

The proposal, supported by the United States, called for a phased Israeli withdrawal, gradual disarmament of Hamas, a Palestinian-led civilian administration and steps toward humanitarian aid and reconstruction. But on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not withdraw its forces until Hamas is “genuinely disarmed,” effectively dismissing the plan. Nesma Harazin, a 27-year-old displaced writer from Gaza City’s Shujayea neighbourhood, said Netanyahu’s rejection came as no surprise. She accused Israel of continuing near-daily attacks despite a temporary ceasefire agreed with Hamas last October.

Since that October truce, Israeli strikes have killed at least 1,258 people, bringing the overall death toll in Gaza since October 2023 to at least 73,386, according to local health authorities. Mehdi Ahmed, a 53-year-old Gaza City resident whose family home survived the destruction, said any ceasefire would only be temporary. “We are under occupation,” he said. “As far as we are concerned, any ceasefire is temporary.” He warned that even if calm returned, lasting peace was unlikely.

Ahmed added that the suffering of Palestinians—losing children, parents and entire families—would shape future generations. “People who have lost everything cannot simply forget,” he said. “The generations coming will not accept these kinds of solutions.” Hamas responded late Sunday, saying it remained committed to the plan and called on mediating countries to hold Israel accountable for violations. The Gaza Government Media Office accused Netanyahu of reversing negotiations by rejecting the plan and opposing an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, urging international pressure to prevent further escalation. Despite the setback, Ahmed said decades of occupation and hardship had left him deeply doubtful any agreement could bring lasting change.