Israeli Ministers Demand Immediate Halt to Gaza Peace Roadmap Over Security Concerns

Israeli ministers Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Settlement Minister Orit Strook have urgently called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to immediately convene the Security Cabinet and stop the implementation of the Gaza peace "roadmap" proposed by the Board of Peace. They argue that the final document published differs significantly from the version presented to the cabinet, and thus the current plan should not be executed until it is revised to meet Israel's war objectives and commitments.

The ministers highlight seven major discrepancies, including the absence of a full disarmament demand for Gaza, allowing weapons to be transferred to a new Palestinian technocratic body (NCAG) rather than removed entirely. They also criticize the plan for permitting a phased Israeli withdrawal before Hamas is fully disarmed, relying on Palestinian Authority laws that could enable continued payments to terrorists, and defining the international stabilization force (ISF) as a buffer limiting IDF freedom of action. Additionally, they warn against an international verification committee that was not presented to the cabinet and could include countries hostile to Israeli security interests.

The roadmap, part of a broader international plan endorsed by the UN Security Council for 2025, envisions gradual disarmament of armed groups, establishment of a temporary Palestinian civilian authority, phased ISF deployment, and staged reconstruction of Gaza. However, Smotrich and Strook contend the published text fails to guarantee the phased disarmament principles approved by the cabinet and improperly advances the political goal of establishing a Palestinian state.

They demand the government formally reject the current roadmap, urgently reconvene the Security Cabinet, and prevent ISF deployment in Gaza until the Board of Peace revises the plan to align with Israel's security and political objectives.