"A Rift with Trump" and "Struggling to Survive": Coverage of the Rejection of the Gaza Framework - and the Gap from the Plan Netanyahu Received
Netanyahu emphasized that Israel rejects the 15 points for Gaza, but major global media outlets are focusing on the "difficult election campaign" ahead of him. The BBC wrote that "it is unlikely he will want to grant concessions now," CNN claimed that the coalition is trailing in the polls, and The New York Times noted that although he promised "total victory" - Hamas still controls parts of Gaza. And also: the "20-point plan" that Israel received - versus the one it has now refused.
Against the backdrop of the upcoming Knesset elections, the world is covering extensively today (Sunday) the statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to which Israel rejects the 15-point document of the Peace Council for Gaza. "This is a rare public rift with Trump, who alongside Netanyahu maintained a dizzying and sometimes unpredictable partnership," wrote The New York Times. Later in the article, it was noted that Prime Minister Netanyahu is "facing a difficult election campaign," and that although he promised "total victory" over Hamas after the October 7 massacre - the terrorist organization still controls parts of the Strip. The Times recalled the initial ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, mediated by the US, which was achieved in October last year, but noted that it only "deferred to a later stage some of the most difficult questions - including Hamas's control of the Strip." According to Trump's peace plan for Gaza, Hamas is supposed to give up its weapons - a central demand of Israel. However, armed resistance to Israel, it was written, is a central principle in the terrorist organization's ideology. The BBC network noted in the context of the current plan for Gaza that a few months before the elections in Israel - "it is unlikely that the Prime Minister will want to grant concessions." The article mentioned that the Minister of National Security opposed the plan, and it was written that coalition members from the far-right are calling to vote again in the cabinet on the plan for Gaza - and be done with it. CNN claimed that Prime Minister Netanyahu's right-wing coalition is trailing in the polls ahead of the elections, and that "senior ministers in the government have signaled that they are interested in expanding control. Cabinet members from the far-right welcomed Netanyahu's words." The article also quoted Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who said that "the IDF cannot withdraw even one millimeter in the Gaza Strip." NBC wrote that Netanyahu is "facing an internal political struggle for his survival ahead of the expected elections in October, when the question of the status of the wars in Gaza and Iran is expected to be a decisive factor." The article mentioned that the public rejection of the peace plan, which Trump repeatedly presented as a central achievement in his foreign policy, comes after months of growing tension between the White House and the leadership in Israel over Iran.
"20 points" - yes. "15 points" - no.
In October last year, Israel, as mentioned, agreed to Trump's "20-point plan" to end the war in Gaza, which was published immediately at the end of a meeting he held with Netanyahu. The plan then included, among other things, the release of the hostages remaining in Hamas captivity, a ceasefire, the entry of aid into the Strip - and a promise that Israel would not occupy or annex Gaza. According to the details published then, as the international force establishes control and stability, the IDF will withdraw according to milestones and conditions that will be determined between the IDF, the international force, Arab countries, and the US, until the full handover of the Gaza Strip into their hands. It was also noted that only a peripheral security presence would be maintained until it is fully guaranteed that there is no terrorist threat from the Gaza Strip. However, now Israel has, as mentioned, rejected the new plan, which includes 15 points and was published about a week and a half ago. The Peace Council for Gaza published the "roadmap" for the implementation of the plan - which sets a gradual, time-limited, and internationally supervised process for the disarmament of terrorist organizations and militias and for a full Israeli withdrawal from the Strip. In the statement in which he rejected the plan, Netanyahu emphasized that "the IDF will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is disarmed."
The plan that Israel refused to accept
The current plan, which includes 15 points, states that all parties must reaffirm their commitment to President Trump's comprehensive plan for achieving peace in Gaza. "Through this process, the parties aim to put an end to the cycle of destruction, ensure the completion of the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, return life to its course, allow for Palestinian governance, reconstruction, security, recovery, and economic development, rehabilitate the groups that were harmed, and facilitate the opening of a credible political path that will lead to self-determination and the establishment of a state," it was written in the plan. The second clause calls on Israel to complete without delay all the obligations remaining for it within the framework of the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement, and in particular the cessation of military operations. Alongside this, it was written, Hamas and the Palestinian factions will complete the cessation of all military operations in accordance with the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement and the peace plan. In parallel, the schedule and implementation mechanisms of this roadmap will be prepared within 14 days after all parties approve it, when it will be possible to extend this period by a decision of the International Verification Committee (IVC). Upon completion of the schedule and implementation mechanisms, the Gaza Management Committee (NCAG) will enter the Strip and begin to fulfill its responsibilities. The third clause concerns the fact that the transition to the next stage will be conditional on the verified completion of the obligations set in the previous stage. The International Verification Committee (IVC) will monitor every violation by both sides through an enhanced monitoring mechanism. In the fourth clause, it was written that Hamas, and the other factions, agree that all civil governance and security roles in the Gaza Strip will be transferred to the Gaza Management Committee, in accordance with President Trump's comprehensive plan. They also declare that the Gaza Management Committee will enjoy full independence in fulfilling its responsibilities, and that the factions will not interfere in its affairs during the transition period. After the National Committee for the Management of Gaza fully assumes its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip, it will ensure the continuity of the operation of civil institutions and public services. "The Gaza Management Committee will work to assess the legitimate obligations towards suppliers, contractors, and other parties - up to a total amount not exceeding 400 million dollars, and address them," it was noted. The sixth clause establishes that the Gaza Strip will be managed in accordance with the principle of "one authority, one law, one weapon." The seventh clause establishes that newly trained police officers will be integrated into existing police structures, and that all police personnel will undergo a comprehensive screening and vetting process. Regarding the disarmament of the Strip, it was written in the eighth clause that the process of decommissioning and storing heavy weapons, weapons production sites, weapons depots, and tunnels - "will begin after the completion of the obligations remaining within the framework of the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement, the entry of the Gaza Management Committee into the Strip, and the deployment of the international stabilization force." It was also written that the process will be linked to a gradual Israeli withdrawal from the areas under its control in the Gaza Strip and the disarmament of the armed militias. "The implementation of this roadmap, including the issue of weapons and other clauses in the comprehensive peace plan, will create suitable conditions for a credible path towards achieving Palestinian self-determination and the establishment of a state," it was noted. The next clause in the plan establishes that personal weapons in the Gaza Strip will be subject to the provisions of the relevant Palestinian laws. In addition, the militias' weapons will be decommissioned and stored under the authority of the National Committee for the Management of Gaza. Members of these militias will not be integrated into the security and police services. It was also noted in the plan that a peace agreement will be signed in accordance with Palestinian norms and laws, and it will include commitments to the immediate cessation of internal violence, refraining from acts of revenge, shows of force, military parades, and armed demonstrations. The temporary international stabilization force, it was noted, will be deployed in the Gaza Strip to separate Israeli forces from the areas under the control of the Gaza Management Committee. The stabilization force will not carry out policing tasks or tasks related to Palestinian society. In addition, it will monitor the compliance of all parties with the ceasefire, train the Palestinian police, ensure the protection of humanitarian aid and essential supplies to the Gaza Strip and their transfer, and assist the Gaza Management Committee, at its request, in any other task not related to policing. Another clause establishes that Israeli forces will complete their gradual withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in accordance with a schedule to be agreed upon, in a manner consistent with clause eight of this roadmap and in accordance with President Trump's comprehensive plan, which includes a commitment not to force anyone to leave the Strip. In the final clauses, it was written that the National Committee for the Management of Gaza (NCAG) will be responsible for handling internal security incidents, and that the implementation of the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and the provision of the necessary resources and funding will be carried out in accordance with the plan and schedule that will be prepared and supervised by the Peace Council and the Gaza Management Committee, in accordance with relevant laws and international standards.
The plan that Israel accepted in the past
At the end of last year, Israel accepted Trump's 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza. That same plan established that the Gaza Strip would become a demilitarized zone, free of terror, that would not pose a threat to its neighbors. The Gaza Strip would be redeveloped for the benefit of its residents, who have suffered enough, and that if both sides agree to the proposal - the war would end immediately. "IDF forces will withdraw to an agreed line to prepare for the release of the hostages. During this period, all military operations will be stopped, including aerial and artillery bombardments, and the fighting lines will be frozen until conditions for a gradual and full withdrawal are met," it was written then. In addition, the agreement established that within 72 hours from the moment Israel publicly announces its acceptance of the agreement, all hostages - living and dead - will be returned, and that afterwards Israel will release 250 life-term prisoners and another 1,700 Gazans who were arrested after October 7, 2023, including all women and children arrested in this context. According to the plan that was approved then, Hamas members who commit to coexistence and peace will be granted the option to lay down their weapons and receive a pardon. Alongside this, those who wish to leave the Gaza Strip will be given the option of safe passage to host countries. Upon acceptance of the agreement, it was written, full aid will be immediately flowed to the Gaza Strip, in volumes at least as large as those set in the agreement on January 19 last year, including infrastructure reconstruction (water, electricity, and sewage), hospital and bakery reconstruction, and the entry of equipment for clearing rubble and opening roads. The distribution of aid will be carried out through the UN and its agencies, the Red Crescent, and other international bodies not affiliated with either side. The opening of the Rafah crossing in both directions will be done according to the same mechanism. The plan established that the Gaza Strip would be temporarily managed by a technocratic and apolitical Palestinian committee that would provide daily services and operate under the supervision of a new international transition body - the "Peace Council." This body will set the framework and manage development funding until the Palestinian Authority completes its reform and can return to safely and effectively controlling the Strip. In addition, it was noted, Trump's economic plan for the development of Gaza will be built by a panel of experts, and a special economic zone will also be established with preferential tariffs and access arrangements that will be determined with participating countries. In addition, it was noted in the agreement that no one will be forced to leave Gaza, and anyone who wants to will be able to leave and return. Regarding the terrorist organizations in the Strip, it was written then that Hamas and other factions will commit not to participate in any form in the management of Gaza, all terrorist infrastructure will be destroyed and not rebuilt, and the disarmament process will be managed under international supervision, including a buy-back and reintegration program for fighters. In addition, regional partners will provide guarantees for Hamas and the factions' compliance with their commitments and for ensuring that the new Gaza Strip will not pose a threat. The US noted then that it would work with Arab and international partners to establish a temporary international stabilization force, which will be called ISF and will enter the Gaza Strip soon. The force will train and support Palestinian police forces that will undergo vetting, and will coordinate its activity with Jordan and Egypt. The force will work with Israel and Egypt to secure the borders and prevent weapons smuggling, while regulating the fast and safe passage of goods. The 16th clause in the agreement emphasized that Israel would not occupy or annex Gaza. According to the details of the agreement that was approved then, as the international force establishes control and stability, the IDF will withdraw according to milestones and conditions that will be determined between the IDF, the international force, Arab countries, and the US, until the full handover of the Gaza Strip into their hands. Only a peripheral security presence would be maintained until it is fully guaranteed that there is no terrorist threat from the Gaza Strip. It was also established that if Hamas delays or rejects the proposal - the arrangement and aid will continue in areas free of terror that are transferred from IDF control to the international force. In the final clauses, it was noted that an interfaith dialogue process on values of tolerance and cooperation will begin to change narratives among Palestinians and Israelis and to emphasize the benefits of peace. It was also written that as the development of Gaza progresses and with the implementation of the Palestinian Authority's reform, conditions will be created for a credible path to Palestinian self-determination and a state - the aspiration of the Palestinian people. In the final clause, it was noted: The US will hold a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for coexistence in peace and prosperity.
