Israel to Withdraw From Gaza Only After ‘Verified’ Disarmament, Board of Peace Envoy Says

GAZA, Aug 9: Israel would withdraw from the Gaza Strip only after the disarmament of Hamas is verified on the ground, according to Board of Peace envoy Nickolay Mladenov, outlining conditions that could determine the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire and Trump’s proposed peace roadmap.

Mladenov said the July 31 roadmap calls for Hamas’ disarmament and a gradual, parallel Israeli withdrawal, but stressed that Israel would not be required to pull back until concrete disarmament measures are implemented. He also said the plan does not currently require Israeli forces to withdraw from their positions along the so-called “Yellow Line.”

Under the proposed arrangement, Israeli forces would withdraw area by area as disarmament is completed in each location, eventually pulling back toward the fence surrounding Gaza. Mladenov said Israeli forces would remain at their current positions and should not fire unless they face a genuine threat.

Mladenov warned that the process could be suspended if either side fails to meet its commitments or if Hamas members continue training or rebuilding their military capabilities.

He also estimated that eliminating Gaza’s extensive tunnel network at the current pace could take more than a decade, although the Board of Peace is considering using heavy machinery and private contractors to accelerate the operation.

The envoy credited Türkiye, Qatar and Egypt with playing a critical role in securing Hamas’ agreement to the roadmap. He said the plan has also received support from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, other Gulf states and Morocco.

The second phase of Trump’s Gaza plan envisions transferring administration of the territory to a Palestinian technocratic committee, deploying an international stabilization force, placing weapons under international supervision and carrying out a phased Israeli withdrawal alongside reconstruction efforts.

Hamas on Sunday reaffirmed its commitment to the roadmap agreed with mediators and the Board of Peace and said it was prepared to move forward with the second phase of the plan.

The developments come amid continued violence despite the ceasefire that began on Oct. 10, 2025. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israeli attacks since the ceasefire have killed at least 1,258 Palestinians and wounded 4,139, while the overall Israeli offensive since October 2023 has killed more than 73,000 people and injured over 174,000, according to the ministry.