Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly rejected a US-led 15-point peace plan for Gaza on Aug. 9, 2026, saying Israeli forces will not withdraw until Hamas is fully disarmed.

According to The Guardian, Netanyahu insisted that disarmament of Hamas' heavy and light weaponry must be unconditional and verifiable before any Israeli military pullout.

"We will not leave Gaza until Hamas is completely disarmed," Netanyahu said, rejecting phased withdrawal proposals, The Guardian reported.

Hamas has expressed willingness to disarm but only if Israel withdraws from Gaza first, a condition that Israel disputes. The two sides disagree on the sequencing of disarmament and withdrawal, a sticking point in the plan.

Canada has condemned the attacks on Israel and voiced concern over the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Canadian government affirmed its support for a two-state solution and urged safe, UN-led humanitarian access to Gaza, according to an Aug. 2026 statement by Global Affairs Canada.

Since the outbreak of intensified violence following Hamas' attack on Israel in October 2023, the Gaza Strip's more than two million residents remain confined to a small coastal area under Israeli military control, with restrictions on movement and supplies.

Canada continues to provide over $400 million in humanitarian aid to Palestine despite the ongoing violence, the federal government said.

Canadian officials also advise citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Gaza and Palestine and have set up registration and emergency protocols for Canadians in the region, Global Affairs Canada confirmed.

The rejection complicates efforts by the US administration to broker peace ahead of Israel's elections scheduled for Oct. 27, 2026.

The US administration continues diplomatic engagement despite Israel's rejection, The Guardian noted.

The disagreement over sequencing remains unresolved as of Aug. 9, 2026.