Netanyahu rejects Gaza ceasefire, withdrawal under Trump plan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday rejected proposals for a ceasefire or withdrawal from Gaza under US President Donald Trump's peace plan, telling a lead envoy that Israeli forces would maintain their positions in the enclave. Speaking to Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace's envoy for Gaza, Netanyahu dismissed the terms outlined in the draft agreement released by the board last week, according to the daily Israel Hayom.

"Israel will not withdraw from the positions it controls in Gaza, and will not cease fire," Netanyahu told Mladenov during their meeting. The Israeli premier said that "Hamas continues to rebuild its military capabilities and poses a direct threat to the Israeli army and the communities surrounding Gaza," citing security concerns as justification for continued operations.

Army sets three red lines for Gaza framework

The Israeli army has established three non-negotiable demands regarding the 15-point framework proposed by the Board of Peace, public broadcaster KAN reported. Senior military officials are expected to present these conditions — complete freedom of action to eliminate threats, full control over weapons in Gaza, and opposition to any withdrawal unless Hamas is completely disarmed — during discussions with Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir on Wednesday.

Israel's National Security Council had earlier conveyed all of Netanyahu's reservations regarding the ceasefire roadmap to both the Board of Peace and Trump's diplomatic team, Israel Hayom noted. The demands will be presented to the political establishment for final decisions regarding the implementation of any agreement.

Board releases draft amid ongoing violence

The Board of Peace released a draft agreement on Friday outlining principles and implementation mechanisms for the next phase of Trump's Gaza plan, including security, administrative and transitional arrangements. The proposal emerged as Israel continued military operations across the enclave despite a ceasefire agreement that took effect on October 10, 2025.

Israel has killed more than 73,000 people and injured over 174,000 others in Gaza since October 2023. At least 1,250 Palestinians have been killed and 4,110 wounded since the ceasefire began, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.