Netanyahu Rejects Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected US President Donald Trump's 15-point plan for Gaza, stating that no military pull-out will happen until Hamas is "genuinely" disarmed.

Trump's Board of Peace said last month it had reached an agreement for the "complete disarmament" of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza.

But Hamas said handing over its heavy weapons was contingent on Israel ending "all forms of aggression" and withdrawing its forces from Gaza.

Israel has continued to carry out strikes on Gaza since agreeing to an initial ceasefire in the territory last October.
"Israel rejects the 15-point document," Netanyahu said at a cabinet meeting.

The Israeli military "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed and will continue to thwart threats against our forces and our citizens", he added.

A Hamas official told the BBC on Sunday the group "reaffirms it commitment" to the agreement and it was ready "to engage seriously and responsibly in implementing" the 15-point plan.

They called on mediators to ensure "that all parties comply with what has been agreed".
Israel's rejection signals another blow for Trump's Gaza peace plan which was announced in September last year.

Reeta Chakrabarti presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Jon Donnison, Lucy Williamson and Bernd Debusmann.

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