Israeli Cabinet Rejects Gaza Agreement, Maintains Firm Security Stance

The Israeli Security Cabinet convened to discuss a proposed 15-point roadmap aimed at regulating the situation in the Gaza Strip, but Israeli officials made it clear that the plan, developed through international efforts involving Egypt and Hamas, is unacceptable in its current form. A senior Israeli official told News 14 that Israel has already communicated its objections to the United States, emphasizing that the government will not retreat from its current "yellow line" security threshold and will continue to thwart threats against its forces and civilians.

The cabinet's opposition to the roadmap is nearly unanimous, spanning coalition members from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud ministers to representatives of Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit parties. Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Orit Strook are expected to push Netanyahu to revoke last week's approval allowing the advance contingent of an international force to enter Gaza, arguing that the full implications of the plan were not adequately presented to the cabinet. Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is also anticipated to demand that the issue be brought before the Knesset for debate and vote.

The roadmap is part of a broader international initiative aimed at disarming Hamas, establishing a new civilian governance mechanism in Gaza, deploying an international force, and orchestrating a phased Israeli withdrawal contingent on meeting predetermined milestones. Despite these efforts, Prime Minister Netanyahu himself is reportedly dissatisfied with the document, suggesting no immediate progress toward its approval is expected. The only cabinet approval granted so far concerns immunity for a limited number of Moroccan and Ugandan soldiers from the international force, should they enter Gaza.

This development comes amid ongoing military operations in Gaza and heightened tensions, with Israel maintaining a firm stance against any agreement perceived to compromise its security or operational freedom.