Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel "will not carry out any withdrawal" from Gaza until Hamas disarms

At a Cabinet meeting on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu openly rejected the U.S.-sponsored Gaza peace plan that Hamas supports, increasing an existing split with President Donald Trump. Netanyahu said Israel would not withdraw troops or relinquish territory until Hamas had truly given up its weapons and was no longer able to endanger Israeli soldiers or civilians. The plan, a fifteen-point document that Hamas accepted in late July, calls for Hamas to turn over arms to a new Palestinian administration while Israel pulls back forces step by step in line with that disarmament. Netanyahu announced this position under political pressure from conservative supporters before elections on October 27. The disagreement adds strain to the U.S.-brokered ceasefire from October, which has reduced but not stopped Israeli military action in Gaza; Hamas is asking Washington to push Netanyahu to follow the plan.