Netanyahu rejects Trump-backed Gaza peace plan
The Israeli prime minister says his country will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas fully disarms, putting him at odds with a US-backed roadmap endorsed
The Israeli prime minister says his country will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas fully disarms, putting him at odds with a US-backed roadmap endorsed by the group. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday rejected US President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza, saying Israeli troops would not withdraw from the territory until Hamas was fully disarmed. "Israel rejects the 15-point document," Netanyahu told a Cabinet meeting, referring to the US-backed roadmap agreed to by Hamas in late July. The Israeli military "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed," Netanyahu said, adding that this included "heavy weaponry, lighter weaponry, all weaponry." Israel rejects US-led Gaza peace plan To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Netanyahu said Israel remained in talks with Washington despite its objections. He described Trump as "our greatest friend in the White House," but added: "They have ideas; some of them are acceptable to us and some are not, and we know how to stand our ground on these matters." The White House did not immediately comment. What does Trump's Gaza plan say about Hamas disarmament? Trump announced last month that there had been a breakthrough on a 15-point roadmap aimed at ending the war in the Gaza Strip.
The plan drawn up by his Board of Peace calls for Israeli troops to withdraw as Hamas gives up its weapons. An International Stabilization Force would then work alongside a new Palestinian police force to secure Gaza. Trump hails 'complete disarmament' of Hamas To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, the European Union and several other countries. The group has avoided using the term "disarmament." It says it agreed to hand over its weapons for storage under a US-backed Palestinian technocratic administration that would govern Gaza under the supervision of the Board of Peace. Hamas has said implementation also depends on Israel meeting its obligations, including withdrawing troops and halting attacks. "We expect the mediators and the American guarantor to pressure Netanyahu and his government to adhere to the roadmap, and not obstruct the process for internal political and electoral reasons," Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim said. Hamas said Sunday it remained committed to the roadmap. Gaza plan rejected by Netanyahu 'only way forward' Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace's high representative for Gaza, said Israel would face no obligations until Hamas had surrendered all its weapons, including assault rifles.
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