Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly stated his government's rejection of U.S. President Donald Trump's latest proposal to end the conflict in Gaza. The announcement came as Israel's military has reportedly scaled back its operations in the territory under pressure from the Trump administration.

Netanyahu, facing internal political challenges ahead of the October 27 elections, finds himself balancing the demands of his far-right ministers with Trump's push for a resolution. Trump's initiative, presented as a 15-point roadmap, aims to achieve a ceasefire, Hamas disarmament, and eventual Israeli withdrawal.

Reports indicate that Israel has agreed to limit military actions to immediate threats and cease targeted assassinations, a significant shift from previous daily operations. This de-escalation followed a meeting between Netanyahu and Nikolay Mladenov, the Gaza envoy for Trump's Board of Peace, on Monday.

Mladenov confirmed on Sunday that discussions regarding the new roadmap are ongoing, but significant hurdles remain, particularly concerning the sequence of events.

Israel and Hamas Disagree on the Timing of Trump's Gaza Plan

Trump had previously announced a breakthrough, stating that both Israel and Hamas had agreed to his plan, which involves Israeli forces withdrawing as Hamas disarms, supported by an International Stabilization Force working with a new Palestinian police force to secure Gaza.

However, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel does not accept the 15-point document as presented. "The military 'will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is disarmed ... it means heavy weaponry, lighter weaponry, all weaponry,'" he stated at a cabinet meeting. This stance was also communicated to Washington through official channels.

While Netanyahu acknowledged ongoing talks with the U.S., he noted that some proposals are acceptable while others are not, stressing Israel's firm position. "They (the U.S.) have ideas, some of which are acceptable to us and some of which are unacceptable to us ⁠, and we know how to stand firm against these things," Netanyahu remarked.

In contrast, Nikolay Mladenov clarified that Israel's withdrawal would occur "sector by sector" only after Hamas's weapons have been secured and rendered unusable. This interpretation differs from Hamas's understanding of the plan.

Basem Naim, a senior Hamas official, affirmed the group's commitment to the roadmap agreed upon in Cairo. He urged mediators and the U.S. to pressure Netanyahu's government to adhere to the plan and avoid obstructing the process for political gain.

Meanwhile, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a key figure in the far-right, backed Netanyahu's position, reiterating the war's goal of destroying Hamas and stating that the military cannot withdraw "even a millimeter from the Gaza Strip."

Trump's earlier announcement that Hamas had agreed to lay down its arms has been met with nuanced responses. Hamas, while agreeing to the plan to prevent further conflict, has avoided the term "disarmament." Instead, they proposed handing over weapons to a U.S.-backed Palestinian technocrat administration for storage, under the supervision of Trump's Board of Peace. Hamas stated that the implementation hinges on Israel fulfilling its commitments, including withdrawal and halting attacks.

The conflict, triggered by Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, has resulted in significant casualties. According to Gaza health officials, over 1,250 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Israeli attacks since a U.S.-mediated ceasefire in October 2025. Four Israeli soldiers have been killed during the same period. The occupation has displaced over two million residents into a small, overcrowded area.