Board of Peace says no Israeli withdrawal from Gaza before Hamas disarms

What Happened

The Board of Peace, an oversight body established by US President Donald Trump, announced on Monday that Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza beyond the 'Yellow Line' is contingent upon the complete disarmament of Hamas. Following a meeting in West Jerusalem between Board of Peace Director Nickolay Mladenov and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the board clarified that decommissioning must include all light and heavy weapons as well as tunnel networks. This statement follows reports of ongoing Israeli military strikes in Gaza, which have resulted in more than 1,200 Palestinian deaths since an October 2025 ceasefire, according to the provided text. Hamas has stated it remains committed to the disarmament deal provided Israel fulfills its obligations, while members of the Israeli government, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have publicly rejected the current terms of the agreement.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The disagreement over the disarmament roadmap highlights a significant rift between the US-led oversight initiative and the current Israeli government, threatening the stability of the ceasefire. The failure to align on the terms of withdrawal and decommissioning risks a collapse of the transition to civilian governance in Gaza and continued military escalation.

Watch For

Monitor for potential new votes within the Israeli cabinet regarding the disarmament deal, as well as further statements from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkiye regarding the implementation of the agreement. Additionally, track any changes in the intensity of Israeli military operations in Gaza as the deadline for the second phase of the ceasefire approaches.