Israeli minister says Trump's 'Board of Peace' will give Hamas disarmament ultimatum

A senior Israeli official has declared that Hamas will face a strict two-month deadline to lay down its weapons, dictated by an international board chaired by US President Donald Trump. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that the "Board of Peace"—established by Trump and later authorized by a UN Security Council resolution—would issue the ultimatum. Smotrich reaffirmed Israel's unwavering objective, stating the war in Gaza will not end "before Hamas is destroyed," militarily, politically, and as a civilian administration.

Smotrich outlines Israel's maximalist war aims

In comments reported by the Israeli newspaper Makor Rishon, Minister Smotrich presented a vision for Gaza with no place for Hamas. "There will be no Hamas in Gaza, neither militarily, nor civilianly, nor in government. We made a commitment, and that is the main objective of the war," he asserted. Smotrich, whose faction is part of the governing coalition, claimed the Israeli army now controls over half of the Gaza Strip and lamented that the disarmament phase of the ceasefire had not begun earlier. His statements reflect the hardline position within the Israeli cabinet that views the total elimination of Hamas as a non-negotiable prerequisite for peace.

The controversial 'Board of Peace' and its powers

The entity cited by Smotrich, the "Board of Peace," was unveiled by President Trump in January as part of a broader Gaza plan following a ceasefire agreement in October 2025. According to its charter, it is an international organization aimed at promoting stability and lawful governance in conflict zones. However, the framework grants Trump extensive lifelong powers, including veto authority and control over appointments, leading critics to allege it is designed to circumvent traditional UN mechanisms. Notably, while created in the context of the Gaza war, its charter does not explicitly mention the enclave, where a dire humanitarian crisis persists for over two million people.

Next steps: from ceasefire to enforced disarmament

The reported ultimatum aligns with the outlined second phase of the existing Gaza agreement, which stipulates the disarmament of Palestinian factions, further Israeli withdrawals, and the launch of massive reconstruction estimated by the UN to cost $70 billion. The first phase involved a ceasefire and prisoner exchange, though Israel has been accused of repeated violations. For nations like Türkiye, which has been a vocal advocate for the Palestinian cause and a critic of the war's humanitarian toll, this development raises serious questions about the feasibility of externally imposed disarmament and the future political structure of Gaza, underscoring the deep challenges in transitioning from a devastating military campaign to a sustainable political resolution.