The US‑led Board of Peace has declared that Israel will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed, following a meeting Monday in West Jerusalem between board director Nickolay Mladenov and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The statement came amid political tensions in Israel over the disarmament roadmap and recent military strikes, reports Al Jazeera.
The board, created by US President Donald Trump in January to oversee Gaza after Israel’s war, said, “Contrary to inaccurate reports, withdrawal beyond the Yellow Line will occur only once decommissioning is complete, as Hamas committed to the mediators.
This applies to light weapons, heavy weapons, and tunnels alike.” The “Yellow Line” refers to the demarcation behind which Israeli forces remain stationed.
The board added that the objective was “the complete decommissioning of weapons in the Strip and the transition away from rule by the gun to civilian governance.” Hamas, however, has insisted the deal will not move forward unless Israel fulfills its obligations.
According to sources cited by the Associated Press, Mladenov pressed Netanyahu to halt attacks on Gaza during the talks. Israel has refused, continuing strikes despite an October 2025 ceasefire, killing more than 1,200 Palestinians since the disarmament deal was announced.
Overall, more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Israel’s war began in October 2023.
Netanyahu’s office said the published version of the agreement “does not reflect Israel’s positions” and that concerns had been conveyed to Washington. Members of his far‑right coalition have already signalled opposition.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called the deal “completely different” from what the government approved and demanded a new vote.
Criticising weekend strikes, Mladenov said, “Achieving a lasting peace is hard but achievable if everyone makes their best efforts.” Egypt, Qatar, and Turkiye — mediators of the deal — jointly condemned Israel’s targeting of civilians and healthcare facilities as violations of international law.
Hamas and allied factions said they remain committed to the second phase of the ceasefire and are awaiting a clear response from Mladenov and the mediators.
