Benjamin Netanyahu's rejection of Trump's 15-point Gaza plan unlikely to be final word - BBC News

The Trump administration is said to be unbothered by the Israeli prime minister's rejection of the deal, viewing it as campaign rhetoric ahead of a general election.

Image source, EPA/ShutterstockImage caption, Benjamin Netanyahu is facing an uphill contest in a general election scheduled for October

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may have categorically rejected the new Board of Peace roadmap to disarm Hamas in Gaza, but that is unlikely to be the final word.

The White House has not officially commented. However, it is reportedly "not bothered" by Netanyahu's statement and views it as campaign rhetoric in the run-up to a heated general election.

"We understand Bibi's political needs" the Israeli journalist, Barak Ravid, quotes a senior US official as saying – using a nickname to refer to the Israeli leader. "We have no problem with it as long as he continues to do what we ask – especially regarding restraining attacks in Gaza."

Recent days have seen an apparent pause in Israel's strikes on Gaza – something Hamas had demanded when signing on to the US-backed, 15-point roadmap.