Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's declaration rejecting the 15-point Gaza plan is in contradiction to the facts on the ground, senior officials in Gaza's "Board of Peace" told Ynet.
"We look at actions in practice, and less at words and declarations," the sources told Ynet. "In practice, Israel has halted targeted killings and is observing the ceasefire."
According to the officials, "In essence, Israel is keeping the 15-point agreement. The IDF is positioned along the original Yellow Line, controlling 53% of the Gaza Strip, and there are no outposts or forces beyond the yellow line. Israel is implementing the 15-point document even while verbally rejecting it. Of course, it would have been better for Israel if its declarations matched its actions, because it would have benefited diplomatically from complying with the agreement."
"Obviously, it would have been preferable, for Israel's benefit, if the declarations matched the actions on the ground - it would have enjoyed the diplomatic benefits of its keeping the conditions of the deal," the sources told Ynet.
On Sunday, Netanyahu promised, "As long as I am Prime Minister, a Palestinian state will not be established, neither in Gaza nor in Judea and Samaria. Neither 'Fatahstan' nor 'Hamastan.'"
"Israel does not accept the 15-point document," he stated. "I have heard people saying: 'You didn't say it.' So here I am saying it again: Israel does not accept the 15-point document."
"The IDF will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is disarmed. And when I say the disarming of Hamas, it means heavy weaponry, lighter weaponry, all weaponry. We are talking about genuine disarmament, not fictitious disarmament."
Regarding US President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza, he said that the Americans "have ideas, some of which are acceptable to us and some of which are unacceptable, and we know how to stand firm against these things."
"The IDF will continue to thwart threats against our forces and our citizens. The existence of Israel and the security of all Israeli citizens are not up for negotiation. We stand firm on these interests."
On Saturday night, Channel 12 News reported that Israel's defense establishment recently held discussions examining the possibility of withdrawing IDF forces from several locations in the Gaza Strip.
According to the report, the exiting IDF forces would be replaced with a multinational force, despite Hamas remaining far from disarming.
Israeli leaders have repeatedly stated that the IDF will not withdraw from the "Yellow Line" until Hamas disarms. However, according to the report, security officials are already preparing contingency plans should a withdrawal be approved.
Channel 12 noted that the exact definition of "disarmament" has yet to be clarified, but the US is increasing pressure on Israel to withdraw from Gaza.
A senior security source told Channel 12, "The number of troops [in the multi-national force] is simply not enough. It's only a handful of soldiers, and they're trying to build towers on the basis of that force. It's very worrying. The Americans aren't leaving us with many alternatives - but they're creating a problem for us in Gaza."
The report also noted that defense officials greatly doubt that such a limited force could play a meaningful role in Gaza, particularly if it is expected to replace IDF troops in areas from which Israel withdraws.