Trump says relationship is good even as Netanyahu rejects Gaza peace plan | Israel-Palestine conflict News
Netanyahu Rejects U.S.-Led Peace Plan for Gaza
By [Author Name]
Published Aug. 10, 2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has officially dismissed a 15-point peace plan for Gaza proposed by the U.S.-led Board of Peace, marking a significant rift in U.S.-Israel relations.
In a statement made on Sunday, Netanyahu articulated his opposition to the plan, which called for Israel to withdraw military forces in conjunction with disarmament efforts by Hamas. His remarks followed a week of escalating criticism concerning the proposal.
U.S. President Donald Trump addressed Netanyahu’s rejection during a press event at the White House, affirming that his relationship with the Israeli leader remains “very good,” despite the tensions surrounding the peace initiative. Trump’s comments came in response to a question from a journalist regarding the prime minister’s dismissal of the plan.
Recent polls indicate that the Gaza plan is unpopular among Netanyahu’s right-wing base, with far-right members of his cabinet reportedly pressuring him to oppose it.
In late July, Trump announced that Hamas and other armed groups had accepted a phased disarmament plan, a key element of the U.S. framework aimed at resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict that reignited in October 2023.
Although Netanyahu initially refrained from commenting on the plan when it was released on July 31, he later acknowledged that the Trump administration had provided a draft proposal and expressed his disagreement. His formal rejection marks a notable shift in his stance.
Netanyahu emphasized on Sunday that the Israeli military will not execute any troop withdrawals until Hamas is “genuinely disarmed” and will continue to counter threats against Israeli forces and citizens. He also indicated that he is engaged in discussions with American officials about these matters and reiterated his commitment to preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state during his tenure.
This development highlights a growing policy divergence between the U.S. and Israel regarding military strategy in the region. Al Jazeera correspondent Patty Culhane noted that Netanyahu’s stance could complicate the fragile relationship with the current U.S. administration, as sentiments toward Israel appear to be shifting among American lawmakers.
On Monday, a Board of Peace official confirmed that the Gaza plan remains in effect and that discussions with Israel are ongoing. “The process is based on implementation and verification on the ground,” the official stated, emphasizing that stages of the plan will only proceed once commitments are met.
Efforts to obtain comments from the White House and the U.S. Department of State regarding Netanyahu’s statements have not yielded a response as of this writing.
