Netanyahu rejects Trump-backed Gaza ceasefire plan amid election pressure
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed, turning down President Donald Trump's cease-fire proposal as the country heads toward elections.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that Israel will not retreat from any of the roughly 60% of Gaza it currently controls until Hamas is completely disarmed, rejecting President Donald Trump’s latest cease-fire proposal. The plan, unveiled by Trump last month, called for a gradual disarmament of Hamas in exchange for a halt to Israeli attacks, the deployment of international forces and reconstruction efforts in the enclave. Netanyahu’s stance leaves those elements of the cease-fire on hold and risks straining the relationship with the U.S. president, who has previously been described by the Israeli leader as a close ally.
The Trump-led Board of Peace, which oversees the cease-fire effort, said its officials have seen “some results on the ground in the last few days,” including a reduction in Israeli strikes, and noted “constructive cooperation behind the scenes.” The Israeli military has not commented on the reported limitation of strike authority to the army chief of staff.
Netanyahu’s rejection comes as he campaigns for re-election less than three months away, emphasizing Israel’s military gains since the Oct. 7 attacks while facing criticism over the ongoing conflict and civilian casualties. Far-right partners in his Likud coalition have welcomed the decision, and analysts say it reflects the political calculus of a leader whose electoral prospects depend on a hard-line security stance.
Trump, who is under domestic pressure to deliver on his peace-making agenda ahead of U.S. congressional elections, has signaled a possible endorsement of Netanyahu but has not offered full backing. Observers note that the once-strong alignment between the two leaders has frayed as U.S. policy shifts toward de-escalation in the region, particularly regarding Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.
Experts point out that Netanyahu’s history of defying U.S. presidents, including past Democratic leaders, now carries heightened risk because Israel’s diplomatic options are more limited and its traditional support among Democratic voters has eroded. Yohanan Plesner of the Israel Democracy Institute warned that Israeli voters could punish the prime minister if he is seen as mishandling the crucial U.S. relationship.