Netanyahu rejects 15‑point Gaza roadmap while US presses for verification

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet he does not accept the Board of Peace’s 15‑point roadmap to disarm Hamas in Gaza, saying the Israel Defense Forces will not withdraw until Hamas is fully disarmed; US officials, according to reporting, regard Netanyahu’s public rejection as campaign rhetoric while negotiations with Washington continue.

The White House has not issued an official statement, but a senior US official quoted by Israeli journalist Barak Ravid said Washington is “not bothered” by Netanyahu’s remarks if Israel continues to meet US requests, notably restraining attacks in Gaza. Recent days have seen an apparent pause in Israeli strikes, a condition Hamas required when signing the US‑backed roadmap.

Under the agreement announced by President Donald Trump in July, the Board of Peace would oversee phased, verified decommissioning of Hamas and other armed groups’ weapons, storage of weapons by a new Palestinian administration reporting to the Board of Peace, and Israeli withdrawal from parts of Gaza currently under Israeli control. The International Stabilization Force (ISF) — international troops intended to work with a new Palestinian police force — is scheduled to begin construction of its first base near Rafah at the end of the month, Israeli public radio Kan News reported.

Hamas officials confirmed conditional agreement to the framework, contingent on mutual compliance by Israel. The UK and the European Union publicly welcomed the roadmap. Israeli responses were mixed: an Israeli spokesman said the document did not reflect Israel’s positions, far‑right minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir called it unacceptable, and mainstream opposition politicians raised questions about decommissioning scope and sequencing.

Netanyahu reiterated that “disarming of Hamas” must mean removal of heavy and light weaponry and described the need for “genuine disarmament, not fictitious disarmament.” He also called President Trump “the greatest of our friends in the White House” while asserting Israel’s willingness to stand firm on unacceptable proposals.

Nickolay Mladenov, High Commissioner for Gaza and lead negotiator with Hamas, told Israel’s Channel 12 that the roadmap aims to ensure Gaza is no longer a threat to Israeli security and stressed the deal is based on verification rather than trust; he described a step‑by‑step process where verified decommissioning would lead to Israeli withdrawal.

Hamas indicated it remains committed to the roadmap and urged mediators and the Board of Peace to press Israel to adhere to agreed terms. Netanyahu confirmed ongoing talks with the Americans, while reporting suggests Washington may increase pressure as it seeks progress on the plan.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The Board of Peace’s roadmap establishes phased, verified decommissioning of weapons with international oversight and envisions ISF deployment and a new Palestinian administration in Gaza; Netanyahu’s public rejection frames Israeli acceptance as conditional on complete, verifiable disarmament and reflects internal political debate and concern about sequencing and verification.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• Netanyahu publicly rejected the Board of Peace’s 15‑point Gaza roadmap, insisting on full, verifiable disarmament before any withdrawal.
• The US appears to view Netanyahu’s remarks as campaign rhetoric while continuing negotiations and emphasizing verification and restraint of attacks.
• The roadmap foresees phased weapon decommissioning, a new Palestinian administration reporting to the Board of Peace, and ISF deployment, with initial ISF base construction reported near Rafah.