Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel does not accept the Board of Peace’s 15-point Gaza roadmap and will not withdraw its forces until Hamas is fully disarmed.
Netanyahu made the announcement at the start of a government meeting, according to remarks published Aug. 9 by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.
“Israel does not accept the 15-point document,” Netanyahu said. He said Israeli forces would stay in place until Hamas no longer possessed heavy weapons, lighter arms or any other weapons.
Netanyahu said Israeli and U.S. officials were discussing the issue. Israel supports some U.S. proposals and opposes others, he said, adding that the military would continue acting against threats to Israeli forces and civilians.
He also repeated his opposition to Palestinian statehood. Netanyahu said no Palestinian state would be established in Gaza or Judea and Samaria while he remains prime minister.
Trump Says Board Reached Disarmament Agreement
The Board of Peace released the roadmap on July 30 to guide the implementation of President Donald Trump’s broader 20-point Comprehensive Peace Plan for Gaza. A January White House statement described the wider plan as a framework for peace, stability, reconstruction and governance.
In a Truth Social post on July 30, Trump said his Board of Peace had reached an agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas and all other armed groups in Gaza. He called it a “monumental step” toward peace and security.
Trump described the agreement as a major milestone in his 20-point Gaza plan and said it would be implemented in carefully structured phases.
Trump said Israeli forces would withdraw as disarmament progressed. An International Stabilization Force would then work with a new Palestinian police force to secure Gaza, he said.
Trump said the agreement would allow a new Palestinian government to administer Gaza in cooperation with the Board of Peace. He said the arrangement would also provide Israel with security and prevent Gaza from being used as a base for attacks.
Under the roadmap, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza would take charge of Gaza’s civil administration and security. At the end of the process, the committee would be the only authority permitted to hold, store or control weapons in Gaza.
The plan describes in detail a phased process for decommissioning heavy weapons, weapons-production sites, weapons depots and tunnels after the Palestinian committee enters Gaza and the International Stabilization Force deploys. An International Verification Committee would confirm compliance before the process moved to the next phase.
The roadmap says Israel would pull back in stages as weapons decommissioning advances and the verification committee confirms that commitments have been met. Netanyahu, however, said no Israeli withdrawal would take place before Hamas was fully disarmed.
The stabilization force would monitor the ceasefire and train Palestinian police. It would also help protect humanitarian aid deliveries. The Board of Peace and the Palestinian committee would supervise reconstruction planning.
Netanyahu Addresses Iran and Lebanon
Netanyahu also addressed Iran. He said Iran had not attacked Israel during weeks of regional strikes because it feared what he described as a massive Israeli response.
He praised Trump and the U.S.-Israeli partnership against Iran’s attempts to obtain nuclear weapons. Netanyahu said Iran would not have a nuclear weapon while he remains prime minister, with or without an agreement.
On Lebanon, Netanyahu said Israel had recently used force and killed people he described as terrorists, including in operations on the Ali Taher ridge. He said an important operation was underway and declined to provide details.
Netanyahu said Israel would defend its security interests even when it disagreed with its closest allies.
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