Israel has rejected a 15-point plan that paves the way for implementing phase two of the Gaza peace agreement backed by US President Donald Trump, throwing the entire peace deal into uncertainty.
Under the plan, Hamas would hand over its weapons to a newly-formed Palestinian administration, an International Stabilization Force (ISF) would deploy, and Israeli troops would withdraw from the Strip – a roadmap that the head of the Gaza Board of Peace (BoP) described as the “only way forward.”
Israeli Rejection
Driving the News: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the Trump-backed 15-point plan, saying in a statement that the Israeli army would not withdraw from Gaza until the complete and “genuine” disarmament of Hamas.
What He Said: “Israel does not accept the 15-point document. The (Israeli military) will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is disarmed. And when I say the disarming of Hamas, it means heavy weaponry, lighter weaponry, all weaponry.” – Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister.
The Big Picture: In late July 2026, US President Donald Trump announced a “historic agreement” for the complete disarmament of Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in Gaza, in line with a 15-point roadmap anchored in the principle of “One Authority, One Law, One Weapon.”
Conflicting Timeline
The Context: The roadmap urges Hamas, Israel, and the Palestinian factions to fully implement the Gaza peace agreement signed in October 2025 and end military operations, clearly stating that only the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) will “hold, store or control any weapon in the Strip.” This would involve all militia arms, heavy weapons, production facilities, and storage depots, as well as underground tunnels.
State of Play: Hamas said it would hand over its weapons only when Israel ends all forms of aggression and pulls out all its forces from Gaza. Meanwhile, Israel insists on the full disarmament of Hamas and Palestinian factions before troop withdrawal.
Increased Attacks
Zoom In: Shortly after Trump announced his plan last month, Israel scaled up attacks on Gaza, killing at least 18 people in one day. Israel’s bombing campaign stirred strong condemnation from major regional powers. In a joint statement, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, Türkiye and other Arab and Muslim countries denounced the ongoing Israeli violations in Gaza, which constitute a clear breach of Israel’s obligations under international law and the Comprehensive Peace Plan to end the Gaza conflict.
Reality Check: Figures released by the Gaza Health Ministry show that the Israeli war on Gaza has so far killed more than 73,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children. Moreover, Israeli troops occupied and depopulated two-thirds of the Strip, forcing its nearly two million population to a tiny strip of land in makeshift tents or destroyed buildings, according to Reuters.
The Only Exit
Between the Lines: The BoP’s High Representative for Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov, defended the plan, describing it as the only viable path to break the cycle of violence, urging Israel to give the process a chance. Speaking to Israel’s Channel 12, he noted that Israel would not be asked to withdraw until it could be verified that Hamas was taking steps to disarm. Mladenov added that discussions were underway, hoping for a “positive outcome” for all parties.
In His Words: “The option we are offering today is the only way forward that ensures this tragedy does not happen again.” – Nickolay Mladenov, BoP High Representative for Gaza.
What to Watch: Hamas officials reaffirmed the movement’s commitment to the peace plan, expressing readiness to engage seriously in implementing the 15-point roadmap. They called on the mediators to pressure the Israeli government to comply with the roadmap.
