Netanyahu Says Israel Has Not Approved US-Backed Gaza Plan Proposed by Board of Peace

Tel Aviv: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel has not accepted a US-backed proposal for Gaza, despite receiving assurances that Israeli forces would not be required to withdraw from their current positions until Hamas is disarmed.

In a video posted on social media late Tuesday, Netanyahu said the administration of US President Donald Trump believed it could secure Hamas’ disarmament and the demilitarisation of Gaza.

“They sent us a draft — we did not agree to it. It is not our draft. We sent our comments,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israel was reviewing the proposal.

Netanyahu met the US-backed Board of Peace on Monday, where he received guarantees that any Israeli military withdrawal would take place only after Hamas had disarmed.

The proposal has faced opposition from the far-right members of Netanyahu’s ruling coalition. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Settlement Minister Orit Strook have sought a fresh vote, arguing that the current proposal differs from what was initially discussed.

Israel’s security cabinet had previously approved the plan, which includes the possible deployment of international peacekeeping forces in Gaza. A security cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday was postponed until Thursday, according to Israeli media.

Israel’s right wing has traditionally opposed efforts to internationalise the conflict.

Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that troops have been instructed to seek approval from the military chief of staff before launching strikes, except when facing an immediate threat. The Israeli military referred questions to the political leadership, while Netanyahu’s office declined to comment.