Trump Peace Board Reassures Israel as Netanyahu Pushes Back on Gaza Withdrawal Plan
By Editorial Desk | Team Chatzyr
JERUSALEM: The Board of Peace established under US President Donald Trump has assured Israel that any withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza will only begin after Hamas completes its full disarmament, following objections raised by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the proposed ceasefire roadmap.
The clarification came after Israeli officials criticized a publicly released framework that outlined a phased military withdrawal from parts of Gaza. Netanyahu's office said the published proposal did not fully reflect Israel's position and confirmed that its concerns had been formally communicated to Washington.
After meeting Netanyahu on Monday, Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace's representative for Gaza, said both sides had reached a shared understanding. According to the board, Israel will withdraw beyond the Yellow Line, which marks areas still under Hamas control, only after the group completes the agreed decommissioning of its weapons.
The announcement follows Trump's declaration that Hamas had agreed to surrender its weapons to a proposed Palestinian governing committee, which he described as a significant step toward ending the conflict.
Hamas later said it remained committed to implementing the second phase of the ceasefire agreement and was awaiting an official response from mediators regarding the agreed framework.
Political divisions within Israel, however, remain visible. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich argued that the published proposal differed from the version presented to Israel's security cabinet and called for a new cabinet vote on the plan.
Despite ongoing diplomatic negotiations, fighting continued in Gaza. Palestinian officials reported that an Israeli strike west of Gaza City killed two people, while the Israeli military said it had targeted Hamas fighters. Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, which are mediating the ceasefire, also condemned renewed Israeli attacks, citing civilian casualties and damage to health facilities.
The latest developments underscore continued international efforts to secure a durable ceasefire, while Hamas' disarmament and the timing of any Israeli military withdrawal remain the key unresolved issues.
Why it matters: The outcome of the negotiations could determine the future of the Gaza ceasefire, regional stability, and broader US-led diplomatic efforts in the Middle East.
Published on Chatzyr.net
Written By Editorial Desk | Team Chatzyr
Disclaimer: This report is based on information obtained from credible and publicly available sources at the time of publication. Details may evolve as further official confirmations and investigations emerge.
