Israeli Government and Peace Council Agree on Gaza Disarmament and Reconstruction Plans

The Israeli Prime Minister and the Peace Council have reached significant agreements regarding the disarmament of the Gaza Strip. The plan includes establishing two joint working groups: one focused on the complete disarmament of Gaza, including the destruction of all weapons and tunnels, and another dedicated to restoring essential infrastructure such as sanitation, clean water, and public health services for Gaza residents. The agreement stipulates that the Israel Defense Forces will not reposition outside Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed and the area is completely demilitarized.

The Peace Council confirmed that Hamas has committed to immediately cease all military activities, including rearmament and tunnel digging. Israel, in turn, will uphold its previous commitments that have aided the release of hostages and the return of fallen soldiers' remains. The announcement emphasized Israel's right to self-defense, stating that if Hamas resumes terrorism or attempts to rearm, Israel will respond accordingly.

These developments follow a high-level meeting in Egypt where Jared Kushner, President Trump's special envoy, pressured Hamas leaders to begin disarmament. The meeting also included international figures such as Nikolay Mladenov, head of the Peace Council, and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. The overarching goal, supported by President Trump, is a fully demilitarized Gaza free from radicalization, where residents can pursue prosperity and dignity peacefully.

The agreement comes amid tensions within Israel's security cabinet. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu for limiting military actions in Gaza to immediate threat neutralizations only, calling for more frequent targeted operations. Netanyahu responded by suggesting a political motive behind Ben-Gvir's demands, referencing the upcoming election period. Recently, the IDF received new operational directives to conduct strikes solely to eliminate immediate threats, with targeted operations requiring approval from the Chief of Staff and political leadership.