Trump vetoes Netanyahu’s ‘Yellow Line’ plan for Gaza control

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the joint US-Israel military headquarters in Kiryat Gat following reports that his plan to expand Israeli control in the Gaza Strip was vetoed by US President Donald Trump.

During the visit, Netanyahu stated that the disarmament of Hamas is a common goal.

The visit took place immediately after Israel violated the existing ceasefire, killing dozens of Palestinians in one day, and then reinstated the ceasefire.

Trump vetoes ‘Yellow Line’ plan

According to reports in the Israeli press, Netanyahu backed down from his plan to expand the control zone called the “Yellow Line” inside Gaza, which he had approved in response to the killing of an Israeli soldier in an attack in Rafah.

State television KAN announced that Netanyahu discussed the issue with senior Trump administration officials and that the plan was not approved.

The report quoted an Israeli source as saying the plan would be postponed. The Ynet news portal, citing anonymous sources, wrote that the plan was “frozen.”

According to another report based on Israeli officials, the idea of expanding the “Yellow Line” was originally proposed by Washington but was later vetoed by Trump himself.

Netanyahu emphasizes common goal

Hours after these developments, Netanyahu visited the US-led military coordination center with US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper, reaffirming close strategic ties with Washington.

In a statement there, Netanyahu said, “We want to ensure that the goal President Trump and I agreed on, which others have also accepted, namely the disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of Gaza, is achieved. We are carrying this out in stages along with the other elements of the plan.”

“There is a real joint effort here,” Netanyahu said, continuing: “While holding our security in our own hands, we are determined to achieve results that perhaps no one thought possible. As President Trump said: We will achieve this the easy way or the hard way. But we will reach the goal we are determined to achieve.”

Netanyahu was accompanied on his visit by Chief of General Staff Eyal Zamir, Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) liaison officer Major General Yaki Dolf, Shin Bet Director David Zini, and senior army officials.

No statement has yet been made by the US regarding Netanyahu’s first visit to the center.

Uncertainty over multinational force for Gaza

The center, which became operational this month, aims to help coordinate humanitarian, logistical, and security assistance to Gaza and to oversee the post-war stabilization phase.

Approximately 200 American military personnel were involved in setting up the center, and soldiers from several other countries are also present.

However, the exact structure, command hierarchy, and legal status of the CMCC have not yet been clarified.

It also remains uncertain which countries will send peacekeeping forces to Gaza as part of a potential stabilization force to be established under a future UN mandate.

The main tasks of this force will include the disarmament of Hamas and the destruction of its tunnel network.

Meanwhile, the newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Minister of Strategic Planning Ron Dermer is expected to travel to Washington next week to meet with senior officials, including Jared Kushner and special representative Steve Witkoff.

The talks are expected to focus on establishing a stabilization force in Gaza and drafting a UN Security Council resolution. While many countries are demanding an official mandate, Israel opposes giving the UN a central role.