Board of Peace urges Israel, Hamas to honor Gaza ceasefire obligations

The Board of Peace on Monday urged Israel and Hamas to meet their obligations under the Gaza ceasefire framework, warning that further progress depends on mutual compliance, as the body's lead envoy for Gaza concluded detailed talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

Netanyahu meeting focuses on decommissioning

Nickolay Mladenov, the board's lead envoy for Gaza, met with Netanyahu as part of efforts to oversee the decommissioning of weapons in the enclave and facilitate a transition to civilian governance. "The meeting was constructive and detailed. Israel and the Board of Peace share a common understanding of the ultimate objectives," the board said in a statement posted on X, describing the discussions as productive and focused on long-term stabilization.

The board outlined its vision for stabilizing the territory, noting that diplomatic progress remains contingent on concrete actions by both parties. "Continued progress towards implementation in full depends on each side fulfilling its obligations under the agreed framework," it said, emphasizing that adherence to established terms must precede any advancement to subsequent phases of the peace process.

IDF withdrawal linked to weapons handover

The statement clarified conditions for Israeli military withdrawal from the territory. "Contrary to inaccurate reports, we note that the full withdrawal of the IDF (Israeli army) beyond the Yellow Line will take place only once decommissioning is complete, as Hamas committed to the mediators," the board stated. It added that "this applies to light weapons, heavy weapons, and the tunnels alike," addressing concerns about the scope of disarmament.

Achieving the complete disarmament of Gaza "will be a process" whose specific details will be outlined in the next phase of negotiations, the board noted. The goal centers on moving from military rule to civilian administration, a shift that requires the complete removal of arms from the Strip and the establishment of new governance structures.

International force to monitor compliance

Implementation will be overseen by the International Stabilisation Force and the Implementation Verification Committee, bodies on which both the United States and the Board of Peace maintain representation, according to the statement. These mechanisms are designed to verify compliance with disarmament commitments and security arrangements throughout the transition period, ensuring transparency from all stakeholders.

The high-level meeting came after the board released a draft agreement on Friday outlining principles for the next phase of US President Donald Trump's Gaza plan. The document covers security protocols, administrative arrangements, and a proposed political track for the enclave's future governance structure, setting the stage for renewed diplomatic efforts.