A fresh rift has emerged between Israel and its closest ally over the future of Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly stated that Israel did not agree to the US-backed plan for the enclave, even after receiving assurances that any Israeli pullout would follow Hamas's disarmament. The admission, delivered in a video posted to social media on Tuesday night, underscores the growing tension between Washington's diplomatic push and the domestic political pressures facing Netanyahu. Main Developments In the video, Netanyahu acknowledged that President Donald Trump's team "believes that they can bring about the disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarisation of Gaza." He described the US proposal as a draft that Israel has not accepted, clarifying: "We are checking this. They sent us a draft – we did not agree to it, it is not our draft. We sent our comments." His remarks followed a Monday meeting with the US-backed Board of Peace, where guarantees were offered that Israeli forces would only vacate their positions after Hamas disarms. Yet, pressure from far-right coalition members has intensified, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Settlement Minister Orit Strook demanding a new vote on the plan, arguing it deviates from previous discussions. Read also: Salah lands in Turkiye, Trabzonspor deal imminent Israel's security cabinet, which includes both ministers, had already voted in favor of the proposal, which also entails deploying international peacekeeping troops in Gaza. Netanyahu had called for a security cabinet meeting on Tuesday, but it was postponed to Thursday, according to Israeli media, due to primary voting in his Likud Party ahead of October 27 elections. Background The US-backed plan is part of broader efforts to end the conflict in Gaza, with Washington pressing Israel to curb attacks as a prelude to a partial withdrawal. The proposal's inclusion of international peacekeepers is a sticking point for right-wing factions, who view it as an infringement on Israeli sovereignty. Tal Elovits, a researcher at the Israeli think tank Molad, suggests the request for a new vote is largely a "campaign move" to pressure Netanyahu. He noted that the Israeli right has historically sought to avoid internationalizing the conflict, adding that the presence of troops from countries like Kosovo or Indonesia would alter the IDF's behavior. Why It Matters Despite the public rejection, Israel may have limited room to maneuver. Elovits pointed out that Israel's international isolation leaves Netanyahu with "no other option besides listening to his only friend left in the diplomatic community," referring to Trump. He described Netanyahu as "not a very active player" in shaping the plan, more focused on blocking ideas than proposing alternatives. Meanwhile, US pressure appears to be yielding results on the ground. Reports in Haaretz and other Israeli media indicate that troops now require authorization from the Chief of Staff for strikes, unless in "immediate danger"—a shift from previous policies that allowed regional commanders to approve attacks. What's Next The postponed security cabinet meeting on Thursday will be a critical test. Netanyahu faces a tight race in Likud primaries, and his handling of the plan could influence his standing. The IDF, when questioned, referred queries to the "political echelon," while a Netanyahu spokesperson declined to comment. The coming days will reveal whether Netanyahu can balance US demands with coalition pressures or if the plan will face further revisions.