The Peace Council, established by U.S. President Donald Trump, has formally notified Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that any Israeli withdrawal from Gaza is strictly contingent upon the complete disarmament of Hamas. This condition follows internal Israeli pushback against earlier proposals for a phased troop pullback.
Disarmament Requirements and Withdrawal Delays
The Peace Council, with High Representative Nikolay Mladenov, clarified its position on Monday following tensions regarding the proposed ceasefire roadmap. According to a statement posted on the Council’s X account, an Israeli withdrawal to beyond the “yellow line”—a boundary separating current Israeli-controlled areas from those still under Hamas influence—will not commence until the disarmament process is fully realized. Hamas has reportedly committed to this disarmament timeline during negotiations with mediators.
Even if the phased withdrawal proceeds, the current ceasefire framework, which stems from an October agreement, allows Israel to maintain control over significant portions of the Gaza Strip. The clarification from the Peace Council serves as a direct response to objections raised by Netanyahu’s office, which expressed concerns that earlier published versions of the plan did not accurately reflect Israel’s security requirements.
Did you know?
The “yellow line” is a boundary that separates the area still under Hamas control.
Internal Israeli Political Friction
The proposal has triggered a sharp divide within the Israeli government. Two members of the security cabinet have publicly urged a vote to cancel the agreement entirely, arguing that the version circulated by the Peace Council deviates from the terms previously presented to the cabinet.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich characterized the published text as “completely different” from the version reviewed by Netanyahu’s security cabinet. According to Doron Spielman, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s office, Israel has formally communicated these discrepancies to its American counterparts, emphasizing that the publicized framework does not align with Israel’s official position.
Regional Mediation and Escalating Violence
While negotiations over the ceasefire framework continue, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey have issued a joint statement condemning what they described as “ongoing Israeli violations” in the Gaza Strip. The three nations, serving as mediators, labeled recent Israeli airstrikes as “flagrant violations” of international law. This condemnation followed a Sunday strike that reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least nineteen people.
The humanitarian situation remains a focal point for international observers. Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the United Nations, reported that the Gaza Ministry of Health documented over 150 deaths in July, marking the highest monthly casualty count recorded since the beginning of this year. On Monday evening, a separate Israeli airstrike on a vehicle west of Gaza City killed two Palestinians. The Israeli military stated to Agence France-Presse that the strike targeted two militants.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the primary condition for Israeli withdrawal? According to the Peace Council, Israel will only withdraw once Hamas has been completely disarmed.
- Why is the Israeli government divided? Members of the security cabinet, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, claim the current ceasefire text differs significantly from the one they initially reviewed.
- Who are the primary mediators in this agreement? Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey are serving as the mediating nations between the involved parties.
- What does the current ceasefire allow regarding Israeli control? The October agreement permits Israel to retain control over a significant portion of the Gaza Strip even during the initial phases of a withdrawal.
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