The U.S.-led Peace Council, an organization established to oversee the reconstruction and stabilization of Gaza, has officially clarified that a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory will not occur until the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups is verified. This announcement follows recent high-level discussions between the Council and Israeli leadership, aimed at advancing the second phase of a broader peace plan for the region. The Council emphasized that the disarmament process must be comprehensive, covering all light and heavy weaponry as well as the dismantling of tunnel networks, to ensure long-term security.
Under the framework of the U.S. peace plan, the transition of power in Gaza is intended to shift from militant control to a technocratic governing body known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. This committee, supported by an International Stabilization Force, is tasked with managing the territory's recovery and reconstruction. The Peace Council stated that the withdrawal of Israeli forces will be phased and directly linked to the progress of these disarmament milestones, ensuring that security vacuums are not exploited by armed factions.
While Hamas has signaled a willingness to accept the disarmament framework in principle, the practical implementation remains a significant hurdle. The group has historically advocated for a gradual handover of weapons to an independent committee only after a full Israeli withdrawal, a timeline that stands in direct contrast to the conditions set by the Peace Council and the Israeli government. The current impasse reflects the deep-seated mistrust between the warring parties, with both sides seeking guarantees that their security interests will not be compromised during the transition.
For the two million residents of Gaza, the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the disarmament deal continues to delay the restoration of normal life and large-scale reconstruction efforts. International mediators are now focused on reconciling these conflicting timelines to prevent the collapse of the ceasefire. The coming weeks will be critical as the Peace Council works to establish the verification mechanisms necessary to certify that all parties are meeting their obligations under the roadmap.