Netanyahu rejects Trump-backed Gaza peace plan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday rejected US President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza , saying Israeli troops would not withdraw from the territory until Hamas was fully disarmed.

"Israel rejects the 15-point document," Netanyahu told a Cabinet meeting, referring to the US-backed roadmap agreed to by Hamas in late July.

The Israeli military "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed," Netanyahu said, adding that this included "heavy weaponry, lighter weaponry, all weaponry."

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Netanyahu said Israel remained in talks with Washington despite its objections. He described Trump as "our greatest friend in the White House," but added: "They have ideas; some of them are acceptable to us and some are not, and we know how to stand our ground on these matters."

Trump announced last month that there had been a breakthrough on a 15-point roadmap aimed at ending the war in the Gaza Strip.

The plan drawn up by his Board of Peace calls for Israeli troops to withdraw as Hamas gives up its weapons. An International Stabilization Force would then work alongside a new Palestinian police force to secure Gaza.

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