Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected US President Donald Trump’s 15-point peace proposal for addressing the Gaza crisis, according to the report published on August 21, 2026. Netanyahu said Israel would not withdraw its forces from Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed and Israeli security is assured. He and hardline members of his government believe Trump’s ceasefire roadmap and Gaza reconstruction process could benefit Hamas.

Trump’s proposal envisages reciprocal steps under an interim arrangement: Hamas would surrender weapons, international stabilization mechanisms and a Palestinian security structure would begin to take shape, and Israeli forces would gradually leave Gaza as the new system became operational. Netanyahu’s position challenges that sequence by making withdrawal conditional on complete disarmament, while leaving unresolved who would define and verify that standard.

The report says this difference reflects conflicting objectives: Trump seeks an end to the war and a diplomatic achievement, while Netanyahu’s political position is tied to preventing a settlement that leaves Hamas with any capability or transfers substantial authority to Palestinian and international actors. It says Washington could consider conditioning military assistance, slowing arms deliveries, or making support less automatic if Israeli policy obstructs declared US goals.