Netanyahu Rejects 15-Point Plan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday unequivocally rejected a 15-point document believed to be linked to Gaza negotiations, stating at the start of a cabinet meeting that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is "truly disarmed." This was his first public statement on the plan presented by the Peace Committee of U.S. President Donald Trump, which both Israel and Hamas accepted last year as a basis for a ceasefire.

"I want to be precise. Israel rejects the 15-point document. I've heard people say, 'You didn't say that.' We said it, but here I repeat: Israel rejects the 15-point document!" Netanyahu emphasized, according to a report by Clash Report. He added that discussions are ongoing with the Americans, who have their own ideas, but "some are acceptable, and some are not."

Trump announced last month that progress had been made on his plan to end the war, which began with a truce in October last year. Despite the agreement, Israel continued its attacks on Gaza. Trump also stated that Hamas, which had governed Gaza for nearly two decades before the October 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war, had agreed to lay down its arms.

Netanyahu reiterated his rejection of the plan in a video message sent by his office at the start of the cabinet meeting, as reported by news agencies. "Israel rejects the 15-point document. The IDF will not withdraw until there is real disarmament of Hamas, and it will continue to prevent threats to our forces and citizens," he said.

"Disarmament, Not a Farce"

Netanyahu clarified what he means by the disarmament of Hamas. "When I say Hamas must be disarmed, I mean heavy weapons, lighter weapons, all weapons. We are talking about genuine disarmament, not fictitious disarmament," he said. The IDF, he added, will continue to prevent threats against Israeli forces and civilians.

The Prime Minister also ruled out the possibility of a Palestinian state while he is at the helm of the government. "There will be no Palestinian state, neither in Gaza nor in Judea and Samaria. Neither 'Fatahstan' nor 'Hamastan,'" he said, using pejorative terms for potential states under Fatah and Hamas control, respectively. As reported by ANSA, he added: "As long as I am Prime Minister, there will be no Palestinian state, neither in Gaza nor in the West Bank."

Iran Knows of the "Mighty Blow"

Addressing the multi-front situation, Netanyahu also commented on why Iran, which attacks countries in the region and beyond, has not directly attacked Israel so far. "You've noticed something interesting: Iran attacks all countries in the region, even beyond, but there is one country it does not attack: the State of Israel. Why have long weeks passed without it attacking us? Because it knows what a mighty blow we would strike if it did," he stated.

He also reiterated his long-standing stance on Iran's nuclear program. "With or without a deal, as long as I am Prime Minister, Iran will not have nuclear weapons. The existence of our precious state, the existence of Israel, is not up for negotiation."

Operations in Lebanon and Fighting Rumors

Netanyahu confirmed that Israel has "acted forcefully in Lebanon" in recent days, eliminating terrorists, including on the Ali Taher ridge. "We are in the midst of a very important operation. We are acting wisely and prudently. With determination and wisdom, together with the IDF, we are eliminating threats," he said without providing details.

The speech was partly a response to what he called a "wave of rumors about Israeli weakness and withdrawals on all fronts." "The most absurd thing is that these attacks come from people who preached withdrawal from the entire Gaza Strip, not entering Lebanon, and not striking Iran," Netanyahu said, listing actions taken so far: entering Rafah and the Philadelphi Corridor, entering Lebanon and eliminating Nasrallah and his rocket arsenal, and the double strike on Iran.

Partnership with the U.S.

The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump, calling him "our greatest friend in the White House," and highlighted the historic partnership with the United States in countering Iran's attempts to acquire nuclear weapons. However, he stressed that Israel knows how to take a firm stance even with its closest allies when necessary for its own security.