Gaza Peace Process in Crisis: What Netanyahu's Rejection of Trump's 15-Point Plan Means for the Ceasefire

Jared Kushner's Upcoming Regional Visit

US President Donald Trump's envoy and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is planning to visit Israel and Egypt next week for talks on Gaza . According to Axios, this would be Kushner's first trip to Israel since January 2026 . The visit aims to advance the next phase of Trump's peace plan, which focuses on disarming Hamas and a potential Israeli withdrawal . A Board of Peace official stated the US wants to continue "constructive conversations" on advancing the president's "Comprehensive 20-Point Peace Plan" . Kushner may be accompanied by Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace's high representative for Gaza, and former British prime minister Tony Blair .

Benjamin Netanyahu's Rejection of the US-Backed 15-Point Plan

On August 9, 2026, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly rejected the 15-point plan backed by the Trump administration, stating at a cabinet meeting: "Israel rejects the 15-point document" . NPR reported Netanyahu said the Israeli military "will not carry out withdrawal from Gaza until the disarmament of Hamas is carried out in full" . He further emphasized "genuine disarmament, not fictitious disarmament," and said the demand covers "heavy weaponry, lighter weaponry, all weaponry" . This was a rare public break with Trump, who just weeks earlier had hailed a "historic agreement" between his Board of Peace and Hamas .

Core Dispute: Sequencing of Disarmament Versus Withdrawal

The core dispute centers on sequencing. The US-backed 15-point plan, proposed by the Board of Peace on July 30, envisions a phased process in which Hamas would hand over its weapons in stages to a new governing body, with an Israeli withdrawal unfolding in parallel . Netanyahu insists that any withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza is conditional on Hamas being "genuinely" disarmed first — rejecting the phased, simultaneous approach . The two sides disagree over the timing of commitments, making this the central obstacle to advancing the second phase of the ceasefire .

Trump's Reported Frustration with Netanyahu

Multiple reports indicate the rejection has strained relations. The New York Times described the plan as being "in peril" , while the Wall Street Journal noted Netanyahu "dismisses plan for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw in tandem" despite pressure from the US president . Politico reported that the Trump administration "can live with it — for now," and that US officials are less concerned with what Netanyahu says than what the Israeli Defense Forces do on the ground . The White House is reportedly betting that Netanyahu's rejection may be a negotiating tactic rather than a final position, and that his coalition partners might accept a phased approach if presented as progress .

Continued Israeli Strikes and Palestinian Casualties Since October 2025 Ceasefire

The evidence indicates that Israel's military has "effectively halted attacks" since the week of the rejection , and that relative calm has prevailed on the ground . However, sporadic Israeli strikes and Palestinian casualties have been reported throughout the period since the October 2025 ceasefire . The US official cited by Politico said the administration was initially "disappointed" that Israel responded to the peace proposal with increased attacks, but is now pleased that it has since eased its assault .

Political Context: Israel's October 27 Election

The rejection comes as Netanyahu faces razor-tight elections scheduled for October 27, 2026 . The political pressure from his right-wing governing coalition is a key factor driving his stance. Any perception of weakness on security matters could cost him votes, while accepting a plan that requires concessions to Hamas risks alienating his base . Politico noted that Netanyahu's rejection was partly a response to "a wave of rumours about Israeli weakness and Israeli withdrawals on all fronts" .

Turkish-Egyptian Parallel Efforts

On August 12, 2026, Egyptian General Intelligence Service Director Major General Hassan Rashad and the Director of Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT), İbrahim Kalın, met in Cairo with senior Hamas leaders, including Khaled Mashal, Khalil al-Hayya, and Mohammed Hassan . This meeting was part of parallel mediation tracks aimed at advancing the Gaza ceasefire and broader peace process . Egypt and Turkey have been coordinating closely as intermediaries between the parties, with a second round of talks involving all Palestinian factions also convened in Cairo with mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey . According to Al-Qahera News, these discussions focus on implementing the second phase of the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Agreement signed on October 10, 2025 .

Summary

The diplomatic landscape is characterized by a high-stakes standoff. Hamas has accepted the US-backed phased plan, Netanyahu has publicly rejected it ahead of a tight election, Kushner is heading to the region to press the administration's case, and Egyptian-Turkish mediators are working to keep dialogue alive. The central unresolved question is whether Israel will accept a phased, simultaneous process or insist on full Hamas disarmament before any withdrawal. The next week of diplomacy will be critical, with the Board of Peace delegation expected to hold talks in both Jerusalem and Cairo .