Gaza – Netanyahu Reaffirms Disarmament Demand as Differences Emerge Over Peace Framework
Gaza – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has openly acknowledged differences with US President Donald Trump over the latest Board of Peace proposal for Gaza, making it clear that Israel believes Hamas and other armed factions must surrender all weapons before reconstruction efforts can begin. His remarks underline continuing negotiations over how the proposed transition plan should be carried out while preserving regional security.
Netanyahu Stresses Weapons Must Be Removed First
Speaking after discussions with Board of Peace envoy Nickolay Mladenov, Netanyahu said Israel’s position remains unchanged on the issue of disarmament. According to statements reported by Al Jazeera, he said Gaza must be fully demilitarised before any large-scale rebuilding work is allowed to move forward. While acknowledging differences with President Trump regarding the proposed framework, Netanyahu emphasized that eliminating the military capabilities of Hamas remains a central requirement for Israel.
Board of Peace Clarifies Israeli Military Withdrawal
The Board of Peace also issued a clarification addressing reports about the timetable for Israeli troop movements. It stated that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) will not withdraw beyond the designated “Yellow Line” until the complete dismantling of weapons throughout Gaza has been verified. The organisation said this condition applies to all categories of military assets, including light weapons, heavy weapons and underground tunnel networks.
The clarification was released following meetings between Mladenov, members of the Board of Peace delegation and senior Israeli officials led by Netanyahu. The discussions focused on implementing the next phase of the proposed transition framework.
Focus on Civilian Governance
According to the Board of Peace, the long-term objective is to replace armed control in Gaza with a civilian administration capable of maintaining stability. Officials described the talks as constructive and said both Israel and the Board shared an understanding of the broader goal, although achieving it will require a phased process rather than immediate implementation.
The organisation noted that future work will define the sequence of steps required to complete disarmament while supporting the establishment of civilian governance and improving security conditions for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Monitoring Mechanism Planned
To oversee implementation, the proposed framework includes international supervision through an International Stabilisation Force alongside an Implementation Verification Committee. The committee is expected to include representatives from both the United States and the Board of Peace, with responsibility for ensuring that all parties comply with the commitments outlined in the agreement.
The Board also stressed that continued progress will depend on every participant meeting its obligations under the negotiated roadmap.
Israeli Officials Raise Concerns Over Proposal
Earlier reports from the Times of Israel indicated that senior Israeli officials believe the publicly available version of President Trump’s Gaza roadmap does not fully represent Israel’s position. Prime Minister’s Office spokesman Doron Spielman said Israeli authorities had already communicated their concerns to American officials, adding that the published proposal differs from Israel’s preferred approach.
Spielman reiterated that Israel considers complete demilitarisation essential, arguing that Hamas must physically surrender its weapons to eliminate the possibility of future attacks. He maintained that anything less than full disarmament would leave the group capable of posing renewed security threats.
President Herzog Expresses Measured Support
Despite those reservations, Israeli President Isaac Herzog offered a more optimistic assessment of the diplomatic initiative. He said the Board of Peace’s efforts under President Trump’s leadership contain several positive elements and described the broader peace initiative as an encouraging step forward.
Herzog also referred to the previously approved 20-point peace plan endorsed by the United Nations Security Council, expressing hope that the ongoing negotiations would successfully achieve the complete disarmament of Hamas while advancing long-term stability in the region.
Officials involved in the negotiations said the latest roadmap builds upon that earlier peace framework and converts it into a phased implementation plan developed after months of discussions following hostage releases and the return of bodies. Diplomatic efforts are expected to continue as negotiators work to resolve remaining differences over the sequence and conditions of the agreement.