ALBAWABA- The Board of Peace said Monday that Israeli forces will not withdraw beyond the Yellow Line in Gaza until the complete decommissioning of weapons in the Strip is achieved, clarifying the timeline for the next phase of the ceasefire agreement.
The statement followed a meeting between the Board’s High Representative Nickolay Mladenov and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his officials. The Board described the discussions as "constructive and detailed," saying both sides share a common understanding of the ultimate objectives: the full dismantling of weapons in Gaza and a transition from armed rule to civilian governance.
"The goal is clear and is not in question," the Board said, adding that achieving it would be a process to be defined during the next phase of implementation.
The Board rejected what it called inaccurate interpretations of the ceasefire terms, stressing that the withdrawal of Israeli forces beyond the Yellow Line would take place only after the completion of weapons decommissioning, as Hamas had committed to mediators. The process includes the removal of light and heavy weapons as well as tunnel infrastructure.
Implementation will be monitored by the International Stabilisation Force and the Implementation Verification Committee, which includes representatives from the United States and the Board of Peace. The Board said further progress depends on all parties fulfilling their commitments under the agreement.
Hamas had previously said it was prepared to hand over heavy weapons after an Israeli withdrawal from the Yellow Zone and an end to Israeli attacks on Palestinians in Gaza. A Hamas official source said Monday that the movement and other Palestinian factions remain committed to the terms of the second phase of the ceasefire and are awaiting an official response from Mladenov and other mediators regarding the agreed arrangements.
The developments came amid continued Israeli assaults in Gaza. The Israeli army killed two Palestinians on Monday in an airstrike targeting their vehicle in the Strip.
Meanwhile, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, which mediated the ceasefire agreement, issued a joint statement condemning what they described as ongoing Israeli violations of the truce, particularly attacks affecting healthcare facilities.
The mediators called on Israel to comply with its obligations under international law and the ceasefire agreement, warning that continued violations could undermine efforts to advance the second phase of the deal after Hamas and Palestinian factions accepted the proposed roadmap. "These violations threaten the path toward de-escalation and exacerbate the suffering of civilians in the Gaza Strip," the statement said.
The three countries renewed calls for the protection of civilians, medical facilities and humanitarian workers, as well as the unrestricted delivery of aid and medical supplies. They also urged the international community to pressure Israel to uphold international law and respect the ceasefire commitments.
