Trump's peace board reassures Netanyahu, says Gaza withdrawal will begin only after Hamas disarms

Trump's Board of Peace assured Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Gaza withdrawal will begin only after Hamas fully disarms, linking the withdrawal to decommissioning of weapons.

The board's statement followed a difficult meeting between its high representative for Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov, and Netanyahu, after Israel objected to the board's earlier proposal for a phased withdrawal.

Israel's security cabinet members, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, demanded a fresh vote on the proposed framework, criticizing the published version as 'completely different' from what was presented.

The board said Israel's withdrawal beyond the Yellow Line, where Hamas retains control, will occur after decommissioning is complete, as Hamas committed to mediators, while Israel would maintain control over large parts of Gaza.

Differences between Trump and Netanyahu extend beyond Gaza, with Netanyahu preparing for a challenging re-election contest in October, and his spokesperson citing Hamas's actions as preparation for further attacks.