The recent decision by Benjamin Netanyahu to reject the Board of Peace plan for Gaza sponsored by the US president Donald Trump is concerning – but is hardly surprising.

The 15-point roadmap, published by Trump’s Board of Peace, envisages Hamas’ disarmament and Israel’s phased withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian territory would then be run by the US-backed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza – a transitional body consisting of Palestinian technocrats. The plan was endorsed in November 2025 by UN security council resolution 2803.

At the end of July, Hamas said it had accepted the deal and would begin a staged disarmament process – provided Israel carried out its own obligations under the deal, to end “all forms of aggression” and withdraw its forces from Gaza.

Hamas’s disarmament had been a major sticking point in talks, and its acceptance of the plan was touted as a breakthrough. But Netanyahu has now put it in doubt, stating that Israel “will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed”.

Israel’s stance will not have improved Netanyahu’s often fractious relationship with Trump. Despite boasting about their closeness, Netanyahu has repeatedly drawn Trump’s ire both publicly and privately for his refusal to acquiesce to US demands.

In June, the US president shouted and swore at the Israeli prime minister in an angry phone call over Israel continuing its aggression in Lebanon, despite the memorandum of understanding........

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