Israel opposes Gaza peace plan 'in its current form,' Minister says

The Israeli government objects to the U.S.-brokered 15-point Roadmap peace plan for Gaza "in its current form," Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen stated, cautioning that "Hamas is planning a deception."

Speaking to Israel's Channel 14 broadcaster, Cohen characterized Hamas's anticipated approach to the agreement. He said the group "will say that it intends to abide by the agreement, hand over some of its weapons, and obtain what we used to call, in the language of the past, a hudna. [But] the era of hudna is over." He noted that Hamas has previously used ceasefires only to regroup before launching fresh attacks.

Cohen described Hamas as "a murderous terrorist organization," Stating, "We do not believe a single piece of paper that Hamas [signs]."

On the same day, Hamas informed the Trump administration of its acceptance of the Roadmap's terms, which call for the group to disarm and transfer Gaza's governance to a technocratic Palestinian body. However, Hamas appeared reluctant to lay down weapons before Israeli forces leave the territory.

A Hamas official told news agencies that the group and other factions had confirmed readiness to implement the agreement and move to a second phase, contingent on Israeli approval and Israel's implementation of its obligations. The official stated that "Hamas is urging the U.S. administration to exert pressure on Israel to compel it to abide by the agreement and move to the second phase."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously pledged that Israel will maintain its current positions in Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed. He stated, "I am standing firm on our security interests: We will not withdraw from our current lines until Hamas is completely disarmed." Netanyahu added that Israeli Defense Forces soldiers had received orders "to do everything necessary to defend themselves, to defend our territory, to defend our citizens."

Netanyahu indicated the Trump administration believes it can convince Hamas to demilitarize and said Israel was examining the proposal. He noted that the Trump administration had presented a draft agreement that Israel rejected, emphasizing the agreement was not Israel's draft and that the country had submitted its own comments to the White House.