WORLD
U.S. reassures Israel on Gaza withdrawal
The group said it was awaiting ‘a clear and official response’ from the board and mediators on the agreement.
JERUSALEM (AFP) — US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace assured Israel on Monday that any withdrawal from Gaza would begin only after Hamas completes its disarmament, addressing Israeli objections to a US-backed ceasefire framework.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had objected to language in the board’s proposed framework calling for a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Two members of his security Cabinet had urged the government to reject the deal.
After meeting Netanyahu, the board said it had reached a “common understanding of the shared objectives” with Israel.
Israel’s withdrawal beyond the Yellow Line, which marks the area where Hamas still controls territory, “will take place only once decommissioning (of weapons) is complete, as Hamas committed to the mediators,” the board said on X.
Even if Israel withdraws under the plan, it would continue to control large parts of Gaza under the Trump-brokered ceasefire reached in October.
Hamas said it remained committed to “what was agreed upon regarding the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, including the commitments of all parties.”
The group said it was awaiting “a clear and official response” from the board and mediators on the agreement.
Netanyahu’s office earlier said it had raised concerns with Washington, saying the version of the framework made public “does not reflect Israel’s positions.”
Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the published text differed from the version presented to Israel’s security Cabinet and called for a new vote on the Gaza plan.
The discussions underscore continuing differences between Trump and Netanyahu over Gaza, even as both sides insist Hamas must be fully disarmed before any long-term arrangement takes effect.