Netanyahu rejects US Gaza roadmap and refuses IDF withdrawal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a 15-point Gaza roadmap proposed by the United States. Netanyahu stated that the Israel Defense Forces will not withdraw from the Gaza Strip until Hamas is effectively disarmed. He further declared that, under his leadership, there will be no Palestinian state in either Gaza or the West Bank.

This rejection reflects a significant shift in Israeli public opinion. There is growing domestic pressure and skepticism regarding diplomatic agreements, with many Israelis fearing that such deals serve as a lifeline for Hamas and Hezbollah to rebuild their military capabilities. Military leadership has also expressed concerns that certain proposed frameworks for Gaza could constitute a ‘strategic ambush’ by Hamas.

In response, Hamas officials have called on the United States and mediators to pressure the Israeli government to respect the roadmap, suggesting that the rejection may be driven by internal political and electoral motivations.