Sources: Final Gaza agreement omits explicit ban on Hamas weapons
Final Board of Peace text obligates group to 'decommission and store' heavy weapons while three sources tell the New York Times that Netanyahu halted Gaza strikes under mediator pressure - despite insisting on total disarmament
The final Gaza agreement between Israel and the Board of Peace has reportedly omitted an explicit ban on Hamas possessing weapons, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. The Board of Peace had previously included such a clause in the draft agreement, but removed it after months of revisions with Hamas leaders. The revised agreement commits the organization to decommission and store heavy weapons, to be overseen by a group of Palestinian technocrats supported by the United States. However, the specific timetable and method for Israel's withdrawal remain undetermined.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is said to have ordered the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to cease strikes in Gaza following pressure from the Board of Peace. On August 2, influential Palestinian Mohammed Dahlan posted on social media that U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, was working with the Israeli side to halt the attacks on Gaza.
The next day, Netanyahu met with senior Board of Peace officials, including its high representative Nickolay Mladenov. Since then, there have been no Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, according to Mahmoud Basal, a senior official in Gaza's civil defense.
Meanwhile, talks between the Board of Peace and Israel continue, with both sides reportedly not seeking irreversible measures before ground verification takes place. The agreement's plan for Gaza is still in effect. Netanyahu, however, stated that Israel does not accept the Board of Peace's 15-point document and will not withdraw from the Gaza Strip until Hamas is disarmed, meaning all weapons, heavy and otherwise.
He emphasized real disarmament, not a "fictitious" one, and noted that discussions with the Americans are ongoing, with some ideas deemed acceptable and others unacceptable.
Netanyahu's stance was reinforced when he said a Palestinian state would not be established under his leadership in either Gaza or the West Bank. Hamas responded to Netanyahu's statement by expressing its adherence to the agreements reached with the mediators and the Board of Peace, committing to a serious and responsible implementation of the 15 clauses.
The organization stressed that the current priority is the full and responsible implementation of the agreement and its commitments, paving the way for a lasting cease-fire.
Written by urgent.news from Haaretz's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
