rki.news | Sources Xinhua

JERUSALEM, Aug. 9 — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel rejects a 15-point Gaza peace roadmap backed by the United States, insisting Israeli forces will not withdraw until Hamas is disarmed.

The announcement marks Israel’s first rejection of the plan.

Addressing the weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said Israeli forces, which Israeli officials estimate control 70 percent of Gaza, would continue operations in the enclave to “thwart threats.”

“When I say disarming Hamas, I mean the heavy weapons, the less heavy weapons — all weapons,” Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu said Israel remains in discussions with Washington over the proposal, adding that some elements are acceptable while others are not.

The roadmap was drafted in May by Nickolay Mladenov, high representative for Gaza of the U.S.-led “Board of Peace,” and formally announced by U.S. President Donald Trump in July.

Hamas said it had accepted the latest version of the roadmap’s second phase, but linked weapons arrangements to a halt to Israeli attacks, Israeli withdrawal and progress on reconstruction.

Since the October 2025 ceasefire, Gaza health authorities say Israeli attacks have killed more than 1,250 people and injured over 4,100.