ALBAWABA - Hamas has reaffirmed its commitment to the latest Gaza peace roadmap after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed ceasefire framework, deepening uncertainty over efforts to end the war.
Speaking at the start of a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu announced that Israel would not accept the 15-point peace proposal, insisting that Israeli forces would remain in Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed and all security threats are eliminated.
In response, Bassem Naim, a senior member of Hamas' political bureau, said the movement remains committed to the roadmap drafted by Trump's Peace Council and urged international mediators to pressure Israel into honoring the proposed agreement.
In a statement posted on X, Naim accused Netanyahu of risking the negotiations for domestic political and electoral reasons, calling on the United States and other mediators to ensure Israel complies with the framework.
The exchange comes as Israeli troops continue to control large areas of the Gaza Strip, while members of Netanyahu's coalition government have voiced support for maintaining or even expanding Israel's military presence in the territory.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich backed the prime minister's position, declaring that Israeli forces should not withdraw "even a single millimeter" from Gaza.
Netanyahu's rejection of the proposal is also expected to test his relationship with Trump, who has long portrayed himself as one of Israel's strongest allies and has repeatedly defended the Israeli leader on the international stage.
The latest developments cast fresh doubt over diplomatic efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire, with both sides continuing to hold sharply different positions on the future of Gaza and the issue of Hamas' disarmament.
