Netanyahu rejects US Gaza plan, international force advances

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has flatly rejected a 15-point US-backed plan to disarm Hamas in Gaza, but Washington appears to see the rejection as political posturing ahead of Israel’s snap election rather than a final veto.

The White House has stayed publicly silent, yet senior US officials told Israeli journalists that they are “not bothered” by Netanyahu’s statement and understand it as campaign rhetoric. “We understand Bibi’s political needs,” one US official told Axios using the Israeli leader’s nickname. “We have no problem with it as long as he continues to do what we ask—especially regarding restraining attacks in Gaza.” Israel has paused strikes on Gaza in recent days, a demand Hamas made when it agreed to the US-backed plan last month.

The plan still moves forward in key ways. Israeli public radio reported that construction of the first base for the International Stabilization Force—an international force set to work with a new Palestinian police unit—is scheduled to begin in the ruins of Rafah at the end of this month. The force would secure Gaza as Hamas disarms in phases, with all weapons stored under a new Palestinian administration and Israeli troops withdrawing from the more than 60 percent of Gaza they currently control. Hamas leaders confirmed they agreed to the framework on the condition that Israel reciprocates, calling it a potential breakthrough after nearly a year of war.

Netanyahu’s rejection came after days of criticism from his own coalition, including far-right ministers like Itamar Ben-Gvir, who called the plan “unacceptable.” Opposition leaders also questioned whether all small arms would be decommissioned and raised concerns about the sequence of withdrawals. Yet the US and EU see the plan as the most concrete hope for ending the conflict, with the UK calling it a “major milestone.” With the first ISF base set to break ground soon, the rejection may not be the final word—especially if Netanyahu softens his stance to keep US support intact.