Why Netanyahu’s ‘coup’ against Gaza plan risks endless war

What Happened

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Sunday that Israeli troops will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is 'genuinely disarmed', effectively rejecting a US-brokered 15-point roadmap. The plan, announced by President Donald Trump last year, required Hamas to disarm in exchange for a phased Israeli military withdrawal and a transition of governance to a technocratic Palestinian committee backed by an international security force. Israel currently maintains military control of more than 70 percent of the Gaza Strip and has continued near-daily deadly attacks despite a ceasefire deal. Netanyahu's statement paralysed the diplomatic process, with the Gaza Government Media Office calling it a 'clear and explicit coup against the negotiation path'. Hamas affirmed its commitment to the plan and called on mediators and the US-led Board of Peace and International Stabilization Force to ensure all parties adhere to the agreement. Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty warned that pushing Gazans toward displacement under unliveable conditions would cross a 'red line' for Egypt and Arab states, and criticised the failure to meet the target of 600 aid trucks entering Gaza daily.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

Netanyahu's rejection threatens to entrench a state of conflict and prolongs suffering for over two million Palestinians. It risks a total collapse of the ceasefire, extinguishes recent optimism in Gaza, and could trigger intensified Israeli attacks and assassination operations. The diplomatic fallout has triggered a sharp regional backlash, with Egypt warning against forced displacement—a core Israeli strategic objective according to some analysts. The move is also tied to Netanyahu's domestic political survival ahead of October elections, potentially locking any future Israeli government into his stance and deepening the rift with the US administration.

Watch For

Monitor whether mediators—the US, Egypt, and Qatar—apply pressure on Israel to adhere to the roadmap, or if Hamas declares negotiations dead. Escalation indicators include renewed Israeli bombing or assassination operations near the 'Yellow Line' buffer zone. The planned international stabilisation force's deployment and aid truck numbers will signal implementation seriousness. Domestically, Israel's October elections and Netanyahu's corruption trials may influence his willingness to compromise or provoke clashes with the Biden administration. Also watch for any further regional statements, especially from Arab and Islamic countries, regarding displacement.