AMMAN — A US-backed plan for Gaza has hit a major obstacle after Israel rejected the proposed sequence linking Hamas disarmament to an Israeli withdrawal from the war-ravaged territory.

 

The 15-point plan was endorsed by Hamas in late July and calls for the group to hand over its weapons to a new Palestinian governing body, while envisaging an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza as the process moves forward.

 

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the plan on Sunday, saying Israel would not withdraw until Hamas was “genuinely disarmed”, making the issue of the sequence of implementation the central dispute between the two sides.

 

The rejection came despite Hamas calling on Washington to pressure Israel to accept the roadmap, with Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim saying the group expects the US to ensure that the process is not obstructed.

 

“We expect the mediators and the American guarantor to pressure Netanyahu and his government to adhere to the roadmap,” Naim told AFP.

 

Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace’s high representative for Gaza, said that the proposal remains the “only way forward” to prevent a repeat of the October 7, 2023 attack, while stressing that further discussions were underway.

 

Mladenov also said that Israel would withdraw only after complete and verified disarmament, reinforcing the position that Hamas must first give up its weapons before the next stages of the plan can proceed, according to AFP.

 

“If there is genuine demilitarisation, Israel will withdraw from the Strip,” he said.

 

But Mladenov maintained that Israel would eventually pull out if there were verified disarmament.

 

"If there is genuine demilitarisation, Israel will withdraw from the Strip," he said.

 

He said that the disarmament would involve all Hamas weapons, down to Kalashnikov rifles.

 

Israel has demanded the destruction of all weapons, not just handing them over, AFP said.

 

The dispute therefore centres on what comes first. Hamas must disarm and Israel must withdraw, but Israel is insisting that disarmament must be completed before any withdrawal takes place.

 

US President Donald Trump has continued to back the framework.

 

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump described the plan as the best option for Gaza’s future.

 

The proposal also includes plans for reconstruction, improved transport systems, modern utilities and commercial ports, with wealthy Gulf states envisaged as playing a role in supporting security and long-term development.

 

Netanyahu has nevertheless said that Israel does not accept all elements of the US proposal. He described Trump as “our greatest friend in the White House”, while saying some US ideas were acceptable and others were not.

 

Political analyst Amer Sabaileh said the plan clearly places Hamas disarmament at the beginning of the process.

 

“The plan is clear: Hamas hands over its weapons, and the steps begin after that,” Sabaileh said. “Netanyahu is benefiting from Hamas’ handling of the issue, while the Board of Peace’s position also supports starting with disarmament.”

 

“If Hamas continues to delay, Netanyahu will have stronger grounds to maintain his position,” he said, adding that “neither the US administration nor the Board of Peace will be able to blame him later.”

 

Strategic political analyst Areij Jaber said that the dispute goes beyond a single clause in the plan and reflects a deeper question over Gaza’s future.

 

“The core dispute is not over a single clause in the plan, but over who will control Gaza after the war,” Jaber said. “Netanyahu does not want an Israeli withdrawal that allows normal life to return to Gaza or gives a Palestinian administration a meaningful role in the Strip.”

 

“Hamas has endorsed the plan. Washington is pressing ahead. Israel is demanding complete disarmament before any withdrawal, leaving the next phase of the Gaza framework uncertain.”

 

The dispute comes as Israel prepares for elections on October 27, with the Gaza plan facing opposition from Netanyahu’s right-wing base and far-right members of his Cabinet.