The Board of Peace has issued a formal clarification regarding the timeline for an Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza. Following a meeting in West Jerusalem between Board director Nickolay Mladenov and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the body stated that any pullback of forces will occur only after the total disarmament of Hamas. This condition encompasses all heavy and light weaponry, along with the destruction of underground tunnel networks.
The agreement, which was initially announced by United States President Donald Trump last Thursday, has faced immediate pushback from within the Israeli government. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich publicly stated that the currently circulated version of the deal does not align with the terms previously approved by his cabinet. He has called for an emergency vote to revisit the commitments made to international mediators.
Despite the recent announcement of a disarmament framework, tensions on the ground remain high. Reports indicate that Israeli military operations have continued, resulting in civilian casualties and the destruction of infrastructure. International mediators including Egypt, Qatar, and Turkiye have issued a joint statement describing the ongoing strikes on civilian facilities as a clear violation of international law.
Negotiations continue to face significant obstacles as Hamas insists on reciprocal adherence to the terms of the deal. Meanwhile, Nickolay Mladenov has urged a halt to active combat operations to allow the disarmament process to move forward. As the situation develops, the Board of Peace maintains that the transition to civilian governance in Gaza is contingent upon the complete removal of armed factions from the territory.