On December 29, 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida. He firmly rejected President Trump’s 15-point Gaza peace plan, asserting that Israeli forces will remain in Gaza until Hamas is thoroughly disarmed. Netanyahu emphasized the need for “genuine disarmament” rather than a nominal one.
Netanyahu’s remarks came shortly after President Trump announced a supposed agreement with Hamas for complete disarmament. Trump celebrated this as a historic achievement towards lasting peace and security. He announced on social media that the Board of Peace secured the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza.
The proposed peace deal specified that Hamas and other militant groups would turn their weapons over to an international policing force. However, Hamas indicated that disarmament would only occur if Israel withdrew from certain parts of Gaza first. This additional demand led to a dispute following the preliminary ceasefire agreement from October 2025. That initial phase included the ceasefire, the release of hostages, increased humanitarian aid, and a partial Israeli withdrawal. Any further Israeli withdrawals and disarmament were left open for negotiation.
Trump’s revised 15-point roadmap, published on July 31, aimed to progress these unresolved elements. It suggested a phased approach where Israeli withdrawal from Gaza would accompany Hamas’s disarmament, rather than disarmament preceding the withdrawal. Nevertheless, the Board of Peace supported Netanyahu’s stance, stating that Israeli forces would not retreat farther than the Yellow Line until complete disarmament occurred.
Netanyahu’s insistence on genuine disarmament before withdrawal comes amid the upcoming Israeli election on October 27, where his coalition faces potential loss of majority according to recent polls. Meanwhile, Palestinian officials report that Israel still holds control over about 70% of Gaza.
Despite the stalemate, Hamas affirmed its dedication to the roadmap agreed upon in the initial ceasefire agreement. This ongoing dispute continues to unfold as both parties await further negotiations.
NPR’s Anas Baba contributed reporting from Gaza.
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