Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has rejected the Gaza-related deal announced by Trump last month, has firmly stated that they will not leave Gaza until Hamas lays down its arms.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu said that Israel rejects the 15-point plan for Gaza announced last month by U.S. President Donald Trump. He said that first Hamas must truly give up its weapons, and that it must not be some kind of "fake disarmament"; until then, the Israeli military will not carry out any withdrawal operation, while continuing to thwart threats against our forces and people.
Moreover, in reality, the steps of laying down arms and withdrawing Israeli forces would have to be carried out gradually, stage by stage.
At the same time, he said that discussions with Washington on plans for Gaza were continuing; he had made similar remarks last week as well.
This rejection by Israel is seen as another setback for Trump’s Gaza peace plan, announced in September last year.
No immediate comment was issued from the White House regarding Netanyahu’s statement.
Since agreeing to the initial ceasefire in the Gaza Strip last October, Israel has continued to carry out attacks in the area.
Israeli forces are holding more than half of the heavily devastated Palestinian territory, home to about 2 million people, under their control.
