A Rare Public Rift Over Gaza
In an unusual public disagreement with the administration of Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, August 9, 2026, rejected the 15-point peace plan for the Gaza Strip backed by the United States. The Israeli stance represents a major obstacle to White House efforts to mediate the conflict, as both leaders prepare for difficult elections.
Israel's Demand: Full Disarmament Before Withdrawal
The plan, proposed in July by Trump's Peace Council, stipulated that Hamas must disarm in exchange for a complete Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza and a transition to an independent Palestinian National Committee. However, Netanyahu was unequivocal: Israel does not accept the 15-point document, and the IDF will not withdraw until Hamas is disarmed.
He specified that the disarmament must be genuine, covering both heavy and light weapons, rejecting any intermediate formula. This position directly clashes with the phased implementation strategy Trump had proposed.
Electoral Pressures and the Peace Council's Response
Netanyahu, facing tough elections in October 2026 and pressure from the more radical factions of his government, appears willing to test his relationship with Trump to solidify his image as Israel's defender. Trump, meanwhile, seeks to position himself as a statesman capable of ending one of the world's bloodiest conflicts, especially with the US midterm elections in November.
Nickolay Mladenov, the Peace Council's senior representative for Gaza, responded to the rejection by insisting that the plan is the only way forward and that it guarantees the tragedy will not repeat. Additionally, according to sources, Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin accused Netanyahu of delaying the agreement for purely electoral reasons.
Key Facts
- Rejection date: August 9, 2026
- Peace plan: 15 points (proposed July 2026)
- Israeli condition: Full Hamas disarmament
- Israel elections: October 2026
- US midterms: November 2026
The Regional Factor
Meanwhile, the situation is complicated by parallel conflicts in the Middle East. The US is desperately seeking to negotiate peace with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and lower oil prices, a goal that would be hindered if the Gaza front does not achieve diplomatic progress. US allies in the Gulf have criticized Israeli actions, raising regional concerns.
Historically, US presidents have found Netanyahu a difficult ally, but the dynamic with Trump introduces an unpredictability that could redefine the alliance between the two countries.
Source: The Guardian