# Israel-US diplomatic relations and Gaza governance tensions > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/israels-us-influence-campaign > Updated: 2026-09-08T17:55:01.000Z. Sources: 164. Developments: 13. In mid-2026, Israel launched a $730 million public-diplomacy campaign to shape American opinion, amid reports of unfavorable views of Israel among 60% of U.S. adults. The effort included a $45 million contract with Brad Parscale’s firm, Sparkfire, and the use of AI-generated text messages. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance accused Israeli officials of attempting to manipulate public opinion to prolong the Iran conflict. In late July, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to Washington for a high-stakes visit to reaffirm the U.S.–Israel defense partnership. While Donald Trump claimed an agreement had been reached for Hamas’s disarmament and an Israeli withdrawal, Israeli military operations continued in Gaza and the West Bank. By August 2026, Netanyahu officially rejected a 15-point Gaza peace roadmap proposed by a U.S.-led Board of Peace, maintaining that the IDF will not withdraw until Hamas is ‘genuinely and completely disarmed.’ This rejection caused significant strain between Netanyahu and Trump, who withheld a public endorsement ahead of the October 27 elections. Tensions escalated as Jared Kushner accused Netanyahu of sabotaging a governance initiative intended to provide an alternative to Hamas rule. On September 2, 2026, Netanyahu visited an IDF outpost near the Gaza Strip’s ‘Yellow Line’ to reaffirm his stance, declaring that Israeli forces will not withdraw from the enclave. Accompanied by IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and other military commanders, he stated that Israel currently maintains control over 60% of the territory and expressed intentions to expand this control to 70%. Netanyahu emphasized that the military intends to remain in its current positions to achieve the goals of disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza, noting that while progress has been made, ‘much remains to be done.’ He also highlighted a recent operation resulting in the capture of Muein al-Arabid, a high-ranking Hamas internal security official. ## Claims - Benjamin Netanyahu officially rejected the 15-point peace roadmap for Gaza. (disputed by 20 sources) - Hamas has reportedly accepted a gradual 15-point plan for disarmament and peace. (disputed by 6 sources) - The Israeli military currently controls approximately 60% of the Gaza Strip. (corroborated by 22 sources) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces will not withdraw from the Gaza Strip. (corroborated by 21 sources) - The Israeli government aims to disarm Hamas and demilitarize the Gaza Strip. (corroborated by 14 sources) - Israeli forces captured the head of Hamas's internal security mechanism in a raid near his residence in Gaza. (corroborated by 14 sources) - Israel will not withdraw from the areas of the Gaza Strip currently under its control. (corroborated by 13 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-08: Israel rejects Gaza disarmament roadmap despite Hamas agreement Israel's government has rejected a disarmament roadmap proposed by Hamas and Palestinian factions, despite terms allowing for continued Israeli military control and security guarantees. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-rejects-gaza-disarmament-roadmap-despite-hamas-agreement ### 2026-09-02: Netanyahu visits Gaza, vows no withdrawal from 60% of territory Prime Minister Netanyahu visited Gaza, declaring Israel will not withdraw from the 60% of the territory it controls until Hamas is fully disarmed. Defense Minister Katz noted displacement plans are frozen. 45 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/netanyahu-visits-gaza-vows-no-military-withdrawal ### 2026-08-25: Israeli public expresses skepticism over Gaza peace plan and Iran strategy Israeli Jews express high skepticism toward Donald Trump’s 15-point Gaza plan, with 74% doubting Hamas's disarmament. Meanwhile, analysts warn of strategic failures regarding Iran's regional influence. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israeli-public-expresses-skepticism-over-gaza-peace-plan-and-iran-strategy ### 2026-08-22: Benjamin Netanyahu rejects Gaza prayer request and threatens area evacuations Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a proposal for rabbis to hold mass prayers in Gaza and threatened to evacuate launch zones used for drones and balloons targeting Israel. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/benjamin-netanyahu-rejects-gaza-prayer-request-and-threatens-area-evacuations ### 2026-08-16: Netanyahu rejects US Gaza roadmap and refuses IDF withdrawal Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a US-backed 15-point Gaza roadmap, stating the IDF will not withdraw until Hamas is disarmed and affirming he will not allow a Palestinian state. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/netanyahu-rejects-us-gaza-roadmap-and-refuses-idf-withdrawal ### 2026-08-13: Benjamin Netanyahu rejects Trump's Gaza plan amid election tensions Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected Donald Trump's 15-point Gaza peace plan, insisting on Hamas's full disarmament before any military withdrawal, as political tensions and poor polling threaten his reelection. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-withdraws-support-for-benjamin-netanyahu ### 2026-08-11: US-Israel relations face strain amid Gaza peace plan rejection US-Israel relations face instability as bipartisan consensus erodes in Washington and Prime Minister Netanyahu rejects a US-proposed Gaza peace and disarmament plan. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-israel-relations-face-strain-amid-gaza-peace-plan-rejection ### 2026-08-10: Jared Kushner and Netanyahu clash over Gaza governance plan Jared Kushner and Benjamin Netanyahu are reportedly clashing over a U.S.-backed 15-point plan for Gaza's future governance and the requirements for Hamas disarmament. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jared-kushner-and-netanyahu-clash-over-gaza-governance-plan ### 2026-08-10: Netanyahu rejects Trump’s 15-point Gaza peace roadmap Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a 15-point Gaza peace plan proposed by Donald Trump, vowing that Israeli forces will not withdraw until Hamas is fully and genuinely disarmed. 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-affirms-good-relationship-with-netanyahu-despite-gaza-dispute ### 2026-08-02: Benjamin Netanyahu's Washington Visit Reinforces US‑Israel Defense Ties Amid Gaza Conflict Netanyahu’s Washington trip saw a defense pact reaffirmed with Secretary Pete Hegseth and meetings with U.S. senators, while Trump announced a disputed Gaza withdrawal deal amid continued fighting. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/benjamin-netanyahus-washington-visit-reinforces-usisrael-defense-ties-amid-gaza-conflict ### 2026-07-29: Netanyahu meets Trump at White House amid Israeli election stakes Netanyahu met Trump at the White House to seek U.S. support before Israel’s elections, amid talks on the Gaza war and deepening US‑Israel security ties. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/netanyahu-and-trump-meeting-sparks-renewed-focus-on-gaza-humanitarian-crisis ### 2026-07-22: Netanyahu to Meet Trump at White House Amid Iran War Escalation Netanyahu will meet Trump at the White House on Tuesday and attend Senator Lindsey Graham’s funeral, amid rising U.S.–Israel‑Iran tensions. 54 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-spends-2-million-on-us-socialmedia-ads-to-shape-its-image ### 2026-07-19: Israel Allocates $730 Million to US Influence Campaign Israel’s 2026 budget sets aside $730 million for a U.S. influence drive, including a $45 million AI‑text messaging contract led by Brad Parscale, amid rising unfavourable U.S. public opinion. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-spends-50-million-on-aidriven-campaign-to-sway-us-public-opinion --- Cite as: Israel-US diplomatic relations and Gaza governance tensions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/israels-us-influence-campaign