A dispute over how to implement a proposed Gaza peace plan threatens to stall efforts to move the Israel-Palestine conflict from a ceasefire toward lasting peace. On August 9th, 2026, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected President Trump’s new 15-point Gaza peace plan, in which Trump proposed the possibility of Hamas and other groups surrendering their weapons while Israeli forces withdrew from Gaza. Consequently, tensions between the two parties are rising, as neither can agree on which action to pursue first and how the two processes can be verified.

According to the BBC, Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces “will not withdraw until Hamas is genuinely disarmed.” Hamas responded by stating it will stay committed to the roadmap, but will follow through with disarmament if Israel withdraws. Hamas wants all parties to comply with the agreement, especially Israel and its obligations. However, Israeli analyst Dan Perry argued that Israeli security concerns and the humanitarian needs of Palestinians do not necessarily have to conflict, saying “these are not at loggerheads.” The peace process could address both security and humanitarian concerns simultaneously.

Hamas must agree to disarmament to prevent any renewed violence, but Israel’s request to complete this task before withdrawal creates a deadlock in which neither side is willing to make the first move. On one side, Israel has raised security concerns about withdrawing while Hamas stays armed; on the other, Palestinians are concerned about surrendering their military leverage while Israeli forces continue to occupy Palestinian territory. Peace requires effort from all parties involved to make a sustainable change.

The current dispute between the two parties is rooted in the unresolved issues of the Gaza conflict. The war officially began after a Hamas-led attack on October 7th, 2023, which killed over a thousand Israeli people and resulted in over 200 hostages being taken. Israel responded with military force in Gaza, which caused widespread destruction and displacement. While a ceasefire was reached in October of 2025, several issues between Israel and Palestine remained unresolved. Trump’s 15-point roadmap was intended to address these remaining issues in phases, such as disarmament, Israeli withdrawal, reconstruction, and the future of Gaza.

Netanyahu’s disagreement is proof that securing a ceasefire is a much easier feat than actively transforming a ceasefire into sustainable peace. If this conflict remains unresolved, the peace plan could stall and take even longer to implement. Lasting peace in Gaza will require more than an agreement to stop fighting; it will instead need a process in which all concerns from every party are properly addressed together.