Israel has formally rejected a key provision of the Board of Peace plan, stating that its military will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas completes disarmament. The announcement follows a series of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and signals a potential deadlock in the proposed peace framework.
Israel Rejects Phased Withdrawal Until Disarmament
The Board of Peace, led by U.S. mediators, had outlined a 15-point roadmap that included a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in exchange for Hamas disarming its forces. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly reaffirmed on Tuesday that Israel would not withdraw troops from current positions until Hamas fully disarms. "We stand firm on our interests, both wisely and forcefully," Netanyahu stated, adding that Israel had conveyed its objections to the plan before its public announcement.
The Board of Peace responded with a statement clarifying that Israeli withdrawal beyond the "Yellow Line"—a demarcation of Hamas-controlled areas—would only occur after Hamas completes the decommissioning of all weapons, including light arms, heavy weapons, and tunnels. "The goal is clear and is not in question: the complete decommissioning of weapons in the Strip and the transition away from rule by the gun to civilian governance," the board said.
Hamas Maintains Reciprocal Demands
Hamas has repeatedly insisted that it will not disarm until Israel fully withdraws its military personnel from Gaza. The militant group views the Israeli airstrikes that followed the Board of Peace's announcement as a violation of the proposed ceasefire framework. Israeli military personnel were instructed on Tuesday to seek high-level approval before conducting strikes in Gaza, a move that Hamas officials dismissed as insufficient.
Escalation and Ceasefire Concerns
The impasse comes amid renewed violence in Gaza, where Israeli airstrikes killed at least 18 people on Sunday, according to local medics. Israel stated that the strikes targeted Hamas and other militant groups in response to ongoing threats. Analysts note that Netanyahu faces domestic pressure ahead of October elections and remains wary of perceived security risks if international forces replace Israeli troops in Gaza.
The Board of Peace's plan had been hailed by U.S. President Donald Trump as a "historic milestone," but its implementation now hinges on resolving the standoff between Israel and Hamas over the sequencing of disarmament and withdrawal. Mediators have acknowledged the challenges, with Board of Peace Director-General Nickolay Mladenov describing recent discussions with Netanyahu as "difficult work."
Security Cabinet Divisions
Within Israel's security cabinet, two members had urged a vote to reject the Board of Peace's deal after its text was published, reflecting internal skepticism about Hamas's willingness to disarm. Netanyahu's office confirmed that Israel had raised concerns with the U.S. prior to the plan's announcement, though the specifics of those objections were not disclosed.
The stalemate raises questions about the feasibility of the Board of Peace's timeline and the broader prospects for de-escalation in Gaza.