In a significant development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected US President Donald Trump's 15-point peace plan for the Gaza Strip, asserting that Israel will not withdraw its military until Hamas is "genuinely" disarmed. This rejection comes weeks after the Board of Peace, a body established under Trump's peace plan, announced an agreement for the "complete disarmament" of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza, contingent on Israel ceasing all aggression and withdrawing its forces from the territory. The ongoing violence between Israel and Gaza has led to continued Israeli strikes since the initial October 2019 ceasefire. On Sunday, during a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu expressed his opposition to the plan, stating that the Israeli military would not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is disarmed in reality. A Hamas official reaffirmed their commitment to the agreement and readiness to engage in its implementation. However, they called on mediators to ensure all parties adhere to the agreed terms. Netanyahu's stance may signal another setback for Trump's Gaza peace plan, announced last September, which includes the disarmament of Hamas, Israeli troop withdrawal, and Gaza reconstruction. The Israeli leader's reluctance to endorse the plan is likely due to pressure from his right-wing coalition and upcoming elections. Meanwhile, discussions continue between US officials and Netanyahu regarding a potential way forward. Nickolay Mladenov, senior diplomat tasked with implementing Trump's peace plan, defended it and said negotiations are ongoing in hope of a positive outcome. The board's high representative for Gaza emphasized the need for Israel to give the process a chance, stating that the plan is the only means to prevent a repeat of the 2023 attack by Hamas.