Donald Trump's 15-point peace plan for Gaza has been rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has vowed not to pull back his offensive on Gaza until Hamas is "genuinely" disarmed.

A long-term peace solution appeared to be an increasing possibility last month, when Trump's Board of Peace announced it had secured an agreement for a "completed disarmament" among Gazan armed groups, including Hamas.

But Hamas insists any moves to demobilise will depend on Israel pulling out of Gaza entirely and stopping "all forms of aggression", leading once again to a stalemate, BBC News reports.

Despite agreeing to a ceasefire last October, Israel has continued to rain down drone strikes on Gaza.

In a cabinet meeting on Sunday, Netanyahu categorically state that "Israel rejects the 15-point document", adding that the military "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed and will continue to thwart threats against our forces and our citizens".

Netanyahu is said to have hesitated for some time before rejecting the deal, keen not to alienate the US - which stands as Israel’s most important international ally.

The Israeli Prime Minister said he was holding meetings with US officials to discuss a path forward, adding: "They have ideas; some of them are acceptable to us and some are not, and we know how to stand our ground on these matters."

Israel is due to hold elections within the next few months and Netanyahu is reportedly under pressure from members of his right-wing coalition to take a hard line on Gaza.

Elsewhere, a Hamas spokesman told the BBC that the group is ready to reaffirm its commitment to the ceasefire deal and is ready to "engage seriously and responsibly" in the 15-point plan.

Hamas has also called for mediators to enter negotiations in order to be sure "that all parties comply with what has been agreed".

Trump’s Board of Peace has been promoting the 15-point plan since September last year and Netanyahu’s rejection of the deal is deemed a significant blow.

The strategy included the creation of a Board of Peace to maintain peace in the region, disarmament of Hamas and the removal of Israeli soldiers as well as a large-scale rebuilding scheme for Gaza.