Netanyahu rejects US Gaza peace plan, defying Trump ahead of October elections

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had expressed reservations about the document, which was intended to launch the second phase of the peace plan, stating that any withdrawal of Israeli troops was conditional on a "real" disarmament of Palestinian Hamas. Netanyahu's far-right allies strongly oppose the text. Bassem Naim, a member of Hamas's political bureau, called on Americans to pressure Netanyahu and his government to adhere to the roadmap and not obstruct the process for domestic political or electoral reasons.

Netanyahu declared that Israel rejects the 15-point document presented in late July by Donald Trump's "Peace Council," and that its army "will not withdraw until Hamas is truly disarmed." He described the American president as Israel's "greatest friend in the White House" but indicated his willingness to stand firm, stating that while some of their ideas suit Israel, others do not, and Israel knows how to defend its positions. Relations between the two leaders had deteriorated in April during negotiations for a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, when Trump criticized his Israeli ally for hindering diplomatic efforts.

Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving leader, is in a close race with opponents in some polls ahead of the October 27 elections. Polls show the Gaza plan is largely unpopular with his right-wing electorate, and