The US-led Board of Peace announced Monday that the Israeli military will not withdraw beyond the “Yellow Line” in Gaza until the disarmament of Hamas is complete. The clarification followed a meeting in West Jerusalem between the board’s director, Aljazeera, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Established by US President Donald Trump in January to oversee Gaza’s administration, the Board of Peace stated that the decommissioning requirement applies to heavy weapons, light weapons, and tunnels. The board described the objective as a transition from rule by the gun to civilian governance.
Disagreement Over Trump’s Peace Plan
The board’s statement arrives amid significant tension following President Trump’s announcement last Thursday of a deal intended to end the war. While Trump described the agreement as a major milestone
and a great breakthrough,
the Israeli government has expressed dissatisfaction. Netanyahu’s office stated that the public version of the agreement does not reflect Israel’s positions.
Within the Israeli government, far-right members have pushed to backtrack on the deal. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich demanded an immediate new vote, claiming the agreement differed from the one previously approved by the government. Other members of the security cabinet have sought to scrap the plan entirely due to concerns over the board’s earlier proposal for a phased withdrawal.
Military Realities and the “Yellow Line”
The “Yellow Line” serves as the demarcation line for where Israeli forces continue to base themselves. According to the Board of Peace, Israel will maintain control over large portions of Gaza under the October ceasefire framework even after the withdrawal begins.
The current military footprint in the enclave is substantial. Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed on Sunday that Israeli-held areas have reached 60% to 70% of Gaza as troops search for tunnels. Reports indicate that Israeli forces have occupied and depopulated two-thirds of the enclave, confining most of the population of more than 2 million people to a small strip of land along the coast.
Hamas Conditions and Ongoing Violence
Hamas and other Palestinian factions have stated they remain committed to the second phase of the ceasefire but insist the deal will not be implemented unless Israel first stops attacks and fulfills its commitments to a phased withdrawal. Under the proposed plan, Hamas would hand over weapons to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a technocratic body created to run the territory.
Diplomatic efforts are complicated by continued fighting. Despite an October 2025 ceasefire, Israel has killed more than 1,200 Palestinians, including 36 people after the disarmament deal was announced. Total Palestinian deaths since the war began in October 2023 exceed 73,000. Egypt, Qatar, and Turkiye—the mediators of the disarmament deal—issued a joint statement condemning Israeli strikes on healthcare facilities and civilians as a flagrant violation of international law.
Political Stakes
During the Monday talks, Mladenov urged Netanyahu to stop attacks on Gaza, though Israel has refused. Mladenov later wrote that achieving a lasting peace is achievable if all parties make their best efforts.
