Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly rejected key elements of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire plan, insisting that Israeli forces will not withdraw from their positions in Gaza until Hamas has been completely disarmed. This position, reiterated on August 4, has created a notable public disagreement with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Core Disagreement over Sequencing

The central dispute revolves around the sequence of events in the U.S.-backed plan. A draft agreement, which President Trump hailed as a “major milestone”, reportedly called for Hamas to begin disarming while Israel would simultaneously halt airstrikes and begin a phased withdrawal from significant portions of Gaza.

Netanyahu’s office has firmly rejected this approach, stating that the public draft “does not reflect Israel’s positions”. Instead, Israel insists that “genuine, verifiable and irreversible demilitarisation of Hamas” must be the “indispensable first step” before any withdrawal can occur. Netanyahu himself stated on social media that Israel had received a draft it did not agree with and had sent back its own comments.

U.S. Attempts to Reassure and Bridge the Gap

Following Israel’s objections, the U.S. Board of Peace dispatched its senior representative for Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov, to meet with Netanyahu. After the meeting, the Board announced it had reached a “common understanding of the shared objectives” with Israel.

In an apparent attempt to appease Israel, the Board clarified that any Israeli withdrawal beyond the “Yellow Line”—the current area of Hamas control—would only occur after Hamas has completed its commitment to hand over its weapons to the Palestinian transitional administration. Even then, the plan suggests Israel would maintain control over much of Gaza under the existing October ceasefire agreement.

Political Pressures and Ongoing Violence

The public rift comes as Netanyahu faces significant domestic pressure ahead of tough elections scheduled for October 2026. Far-right members of his cabinet, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have been angered by the initial U.S. draft and even threatened to vote against the agreement.

Despite the diplomatic efforts, violence on the ground has continued. Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have killed dozens of Palestinians in recent days, drawing strong condemnation from mediator countries like Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey. Hamas has stated it is still adhering to the ceasefire’s second phase and awaiting an official response from mediators.

The Main Issue

The core of the disagreement lies in the sequencing of disarmament and withdrawal. For Netanyahu, complete disarmament by Hamas is a prerequisite for any Israeli troop movement. This stance, driven by domestic political pressures and security concerns, has created a significant obstacle for the U.S.-led peace initiative.