Board of Peace caves to Netanyahu and rewrites Israeli withdrawal terms from Gaza

Board of Peace caves to Netanyahu and rewrites Israeli withdrawal terms from Gaza Submitted by MEE staff on Tue, 08/04/2026 - 11:45 Board ties any Israeli withdrawal to complete disarmament by Hamas, reversing its earlier phased approach US President Donald Trump attends the inaugural meeting of the "Board of Peace" at the US Institute of Peace in Washington, DC, on 19 February 2026 (Saul Loeb/AFP) Off The US -backed Board of Peace has hardened the conditions for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza after its senior officials met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The board linked any Israeli withdrawal beyond the Yellow Line, which divides Gaza into areas occupied by Israeli and Palestinian control, to the complete disarmament of Hamas, abandoning the phased approach it presented last week. “Contrary to inaccurate reports, we note that the withdrawal of the IDF beyond the Yellow Line will take place only once decommissioning is complete, as Hamas committed to the mediators.