Disarmament as Precondition
This position was reaffirmed after a recent meeting in West Jerusalem between the board’s director, Nickolay Mladenov, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The meeting aimed to address rising tensions and clarify the conditions for any potential Israeli withdrawal.
During the discussions, Mladenov and Netanyahu focused on the Gaza disarmament roadmap. This plan was introduced by Trump. The Board of Peace reiterated in a statement that all weapons must be dismantled. These weapons range from lightweight to heavy artillery. They also include the extensive tunnel networks. This must happen before any Israeli forces can move beyond the designated 'Yellow Line.' This term refers to the demarcation line currently used by Israeli troops. It is used as a rear base in the region.
Hamas and Israeli Government Resistant
Hamas has responded by stating it will not move forward with the disarmament. This is unless Israel honors its part of the agreement. Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s government appears to be resisting the deal. Members of his far-right coalition are openly challenging it. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, among others, has claimed the publicly announced version of the deal is entirely different. He claimed it is different from what Israel initially accepted. He has called for a new vote to be conducted immediately.
According to reports, Smotrich described the published terms as misleading. He criticized the terms as not reflecting the original agreement. He wants a new vote to be conducted immediately.
Netanyahu’s office further clarified that the publicized version of the deal does not accurately represent Israel’s official stance and stated that concerns had already been shared with the US. Despite the October 2025 ceasefire agreement, Israel has continued its attacks, resulting in the deaths of 36 Palestinians in Gaza since the disarmament plan was announced. The overall toll from the ongoing conflict remains high, with over 73,000 Palestinians killed since the war began in October 2023. Netanyahu, who faces a tough battle for reelection in October, reiterated his stance that disarmament should come first. He said Israeli forces would continue to 'do whatever is necessary to protect themselves, our territory, and our citizens.' The Trump administration 'sent us a draft. We did not agree. It is not our draft. We sent our comments. … This is our position,' Netanyahu said in a video posted on social media. 'President (Donald) Trump and his team think they can get Hamas to disarm and demilitarize Gaza, we are examining this, they sent us a draft, we did not agree, it is not our draft, we sent our comments. By the way, we sent our comments before receiving any media campaign on the matter, because this is our position. We stand firm on our interests, I believe both wisely and firmly.'
Regional Mediators Condemn Israel
The three countries that facilitated the disarmament deal—Egypt, Qatar, and Turkiye—released a joint statement condemning Israel’s actions, particularly the targeting of civilians and healthcare facilities in Gaza. They described such attacks as a
Hamas, in response, stated that it and other Palestinian groups remain committed to completing the second phase of the ceasefire. However, they are waiting for a clear and official reply from Mladenov and the mediators before proceeding. Hamas has insisted that it will not move forward without Israel fulfilling its obligations under the agreement.
Mladenov addressed the recent Israeli strikes in a statement. He did not directly name Israel. He reiterated that achieving lasting peace is difficult. It is possible if all parties commit to making their best efforts. This call for peace seems unlikely to be met soon. This is given Israel’s ongoing resistance to the terms. It is also due to the political pressures facing Netanyahu’s government. These pressures come ahead of an upcoming election.
Stalemate and Continued Tensions
The current stalemate highlights the deep divisions among stakeholders and the complexity of the situation in Gaza. With both sides accusing each other of noncompliance and the far-right government in Israel showing little willingness to compromise, the path to a durable ceasefire remains uncertain. As the conflict continues, the humanitarian toll on the civilian population grows, and the international community watches closely for any signs of progress.
The Board of Peace’s continued emphasis on Hamas disarming as the sole condition for Israeli withdrawal underscores the fragility of the situation. With the US-led initiative struggling to bridge the gap between opposing sides, the likelihood of peace in the near future remains slim. Until both parties make concrete and credible commitments to the disarmament plan, the cycle of violence in Gaza is likely to persist.