The central dispute is no longer whether Hamas should disarm, but which comes first: Hamas surrendering its weapons or Israel withdrawing its forces from Gaza. That sequencing dispute has now erupted into a direct public clash between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, after Netanyahu said Israel rejects Trump's 15-point Gaza plan.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu delivered an unequivocal message: 'Israel rejects the 15-point document.' He said the Israel Defense Forces would not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is 'genuinely disarmed', adding that Israel would continue acting against threats to its troops and citizens. Netanyahu also made clear that he believes disarmament must include both heavy and lighter weapons, rather than a limited surrender of military capabilities.
