In rejecting Trump’s Gaza plan, Netanyahu reprises a balancing act he has mastered

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's latest plan for a Gaza ceasefire, stating Israel will not withdraw from occupied territory until Hamas is disarmed. This decision reflects Netanyahu's long-standing strategy of balancing U.S. relations with Israel's security interests, a task made more difficult by upcoming Israeli elections and Trump's own political pressures. The rejected plan, which Hamas had accepted with conditions, involved the gradual surrender of weapons in exchange for a halt in Israeli attacks and withdrawal. Netanyahu's stance risks angering Trump, a key ally, but is seen as necessary to avoid alienating voters concerned about security following the Oct. 7 attack. Despite Netanyahu's rejection, a Trump official indicated ongoing constructive cooperation and some restraint in strikes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected US President Donald Trump's Gaza plan, which proposed reciprocal steps including Hamas disarming and Israeli forces withdrawing. Netanyahu insists Israel cannot withdraw until Hamas is "genuinely" disarmed, a condition the article argues can be endlessly postponed by Israel. This stance challenges Trump's goal of demonstrating US power and imposes a veto on the process, giving Israel control over when its military presence ends. The article suggests Netanyahu's political survival depends on preventing an arrangement that strengthens Palestinian institutions, while Trump seeks a diplomatic achievement to end the Gaza war. Netanyahu is reportedly betting that Trump lacks the political will to enforce his plan against Israeli objections.