Netanyahu Publicly Rejects Trump Gaza Plan Amid Reports of Quiet Implementation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly rejected a 15 point Gaza peace roadmap proposed by US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace. Netanyahu stated that the Israeli army will not withdraw from Palestinian territory until Hamas is fully disarmed. In contrast, Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to the roadmap while demanding guarantees regarding a ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, and reconstruction efforts.

Despite the public rejection, reports indicate that Israel may be quietly implementing aspects of the plan. The number of Palestinians killed in Gaza dropped from 47 between July 27 and August 3 to eight in the following week, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Additionally, the Israeli Army Radio reported that Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz secretly approved rehabilitation work for basic infrastructure in eastern Rafah. US officials have also reported that the Israeli army has received no order to freeze preparations for the second phase of the agreement, which includes the planned construction of a base for an International Stabilization Force in Rafah by the end of August.

Board of Peace envoy Nickolay Mladenov clarified that any Israeli pullback would be incremental and occur in areas declared free of weapons. He noted that disarmament would eventually extend to all armed groups in Gaza. Meanwhile, experts expressed concern that the infrastructure work in Rafah could further entrench the Israeli military within Gaza. Netanyahu continues to face conflicting pressure from US allies to proceed with the plan and from far right political allies to seize more territory as elections approach.