Netanyahu Rejects Gaza Deal, Refuses to Halt Attacks or Withdraw Troops

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the latest Gaza agreement during a meeting with representatives of the Board of Peace formed by US President Donald Trump. Netanyahu stressed that Israel will not stop its military attacks or withdraw its troops from positions in the Gaza Strip, as stipulated in the peace plan proposed by Trump. According to a report by Israeli newspaper Hayom, citing an unnamed Israeli source, the rejection was conveyed by Netanyahu during a meeting with the Board of Peace’s chief envoy for Gaza affairs, Nickolay Mladenov, on Monday (3/8) local time. “Israel will not withdraw its forces from the positions it controls in Gaza, and will not implement a ceasefire,” Netanyahu told Mladenov during the meeting, as quoted by Israel Hayom and reported by Anadolu Agency and TRT World on Tuesday (4/8/2026). “Hamas continues to rebuild its military capabilities and poses a direct threat to the Israeli military and the communities surrounding Gaza,” the Israeli Prime Minister claimed. The Israel Hayom report also mentioned that Israel’s National Security Council had previously conveyed Netanyahu’s objections to the provisions of the Gaza ceasefire plan to the Board of Peace and Trump’s presidential team. The Board of Peace and Trump announced on Friday (31/7) an agreement to implement the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire. In a statement at the time, the Board of Peace said that Hamas had agreed to the deal, which includes a detailed roadmap. The roadmap covers security, administrative, and transitional arrangements in the Gaza Strip, as well as a proposed political track. It also includes provisions for the disarmament of Hamas—described by Hamas as the collection of heavy weapons without Israeli involvement—and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip. These two provisions are said to be interlinked, with implementation dependent on compliance by both parties. Responding to the announcement, the Israeli military insisted on maintaining operational freedom in Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas. The military has reportedly set three ‘red lines’ regarding the 15-point framework. According to a report by Israeli television KAN, senior Israeli officials will present these demands to Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir on Wednesday (5/8). The first demand calls for ‘full freedom to act to eliminate threats’ in Gaza. The military also demands control over weaponry in Gaza. In another demand, the military opposes any partial or phased withdrawal of troops unless Hamas is completely disarmed.