Netanyahu rejects U.S. peace plan for Gaza

On August 10, 2026, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally rejected a 15-point U.S. peace roadmap for the Gaza Strip during a weekly cabinet meeting. Netanyahu reiterated his stance to ensure there was no ambiguity, declaring that Israel does not accept the document proposed by President Donald Trump's administration.

The central point of contention concerns the disarmament of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli military forces. While the U.S. proposal suggests a parallel process of disarmament and troop withdrawal, Netanyahu stated that Israel will not withdraw its forces until Hamas is completely disarmed, covering all weapon types. Analysts suggest that this defiance poses a risk to the political relationship between Netanyahu and Trump, who has invested significant diplomatic capital in reaching a ceasefire agreement.

Despite the rejection, President Trump stated on August 11 that his relationship with Netanyahu remains strong. The Israeli Prime Minister faces pressure from right-wing domestic allies ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for the autumn, leading him to prioritize internal political stability over U.S. demands. While Netanyahu affirmed that he views Trump as a close friend of Israel, he maintained that the government would continue to advocate for its own strategic interests even when they contradict American suggestions.