WAR ON GAZA
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Netanyahu rejects Gaza ceasefire or withdrawal under Trump's plan: report
Israeli PM tells envoy Nickolay Mladenov that Israel will neither halt military offensive nor withdraw from positions in Gaza, while the army insists on retaining operational freedom and the disarmament of Hamas.
Netanyahu rejects Gaza ceasefire or withdrawal under Trump's plan: report
FILE: "Israel will not withdraw from the positions it controls in Gaza, and will not cease fire," Netanyahu told Mladenov. /Reuters

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Board of Peace that he rejects a ceasefire or withdrawal from Gaza under US President Donald Trump's plan, according to Israeli media on Monday.

The daily Israel Hayom, citing unnamed Israeli sources, said that Netanyahu conveyed his rejection to the board’s lead envoy for Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov, during their meeting on Monday.

"Israel will not withdraw from the positions it controls in Gaza, and will not cease fire," Netanyahu told Mladenov as cited by the paper.

"Hamas continues to rebuild its military capabilities and poses a direct threat to the Israeli army and the communities surrounding Gaza," he claimed.

The daily said Israel’s National Security Council had earlier conveyed all of Netanyahu's reservations regarding the terms of the Gaza ceasefire roadmap to the Board of Peace and US President Donald Trump's team.

RelatedTRT World - Hamas awaits 'clear, official response' from Board of Peace on Gaza ceasefire roadmap implementation

On Friday, the Board of Peace released a draft agreement outlining the principles and implementation mechanisms for the next phase of Trump’s Gaza plan, including security, administrative and transitional arrangements in the enclave, as well as a proposed political track.

Against this backdrop, Hamas said it was awaiting “a clear and official response” from Board of Peace envoy Nickolay Mladenov and mediators regarding understandings reached on implementing the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

“Hamas and the Palestinian factions remain committed to what was agreed regarding the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, including the obligations of all parties,” a senior Hamas source said in a statement on the group’s Telegram channel.

On Friday, the Board of Peace and US President Donald Trump announced an agreement to implement the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire, with the board saying Hamas had accepted a detailed roadmap.

Meanwhile, Israel’s public broadcaster KAN said the Israeli army has set three red lines regarding the 15-point framework.

According to the outlet, senior Israeli military officials are expected to present these demands during a discussion to be held on Wednesday with Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.

The first point calls for "complete freedom of action to eliminate threats” in Gaza, KAN said.

The Israeli army also demands control over weapons in Gaza, according to the same source.

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The military also opposes any partial or gradual withdrawal “unless Hamas is completely disarmed," it added.

KAN said the army’s demands will be presented to the political establishment, which will have to make decisions regarding them.

Israel has killed more than 73,000 people and injured over 174,000 others in its genocidal war on Gaza since October 2023.

Despite the ceasefire agreement in effect since October 10, 2025, Israel has continued its attacks across the enclave, killing 1,250 Palestinians and injuring 4,110 others, according to Palestinian health ministry in Gaza.

SOURCE:Anadolu Agency