Netanyahu Rejects U.S.-Backed Gaza Plan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly rejected a U.S.-backed 15-point peace framework for post-war Gaza during a cabinet meeting on Sunday. The roadmap, presented on July 30 by President Donald Trump's Board of Peace, proposed a synchronized model where Hamas would surrender its weapons to a Palestinian technocratic governing body alongside a phased withdrawal of Israeli military forces. Netanyahu rejected the proposed sequencing, maintaining that complete demilitarization of Hamas must occur prior to any troop pullout. He reaffirmed opposition to a Palestinian state, asserting Israel will maintain independent security decisions. Hamas reaffirmed support for the U.S.-backed plan, conditioning its compliance on an immediate ceasefire and military halt while calling for American diplomatic pressure on Israel. The disagreement underscores a public rift between Washington and Israel over execution mechanics, though Netanyahu confirmed bilateral diplomatic talks remain ongoing.