Lead
US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace on Monday assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel's withdrawal from Gaza would only begin after Hamas's complete disarmament, following Israeli objections to an earlier version of the plan, as reported by Dawn and France 24 — English.
Two members of Netanyahu's security cabinet had urged a vote to tear up the deal championed by Trump after the board released a text that called for Israel to begin a phased withdrawal, according to both outlets. Netanyahu's office said it had raised concerns to the United States, after Trump on Friday hailed as a "major milestone" an agreement by Hamas to hand over weapons to a nascent Palestinian governing committee.
Coverage Comparison
Dawn and France 24 — English both reported the core developments of Monday's assurance, including the meeting between Nickolay Mladenov, the high representative for Gaza under the Board of Peace, and Netanyahu. Both outlets noted that the board said it had reached a "common understanding of the shared objectives" with Israel. The two news organisations also reported that Israel's withdrawal beyond the Yellow Line — which demarcates the area in which Hamas still has control — "will take place only once decommissioning (of weapons) is complete, as Hamas committed to the mediators," as stated by the board on X.
France 24 — English additionally quoted Netanyahu's spokesman Doron Spielman, who told AFP that "Israel has conveyed its comments and concerns on the proposed framework to our American counterparts. The version that has been made public does not reflect Israel's positions." The outlet also reported that Netanyahu's spokesman said Hamas's actions since the ceasefire have shown that it was preparing for "further October 7-style massacres."
Dawn carried additional perspectives, including Israeli President Isaac Herzog's more upbeat take on Trump's Gaza efforts, describing the latest development as "a very positive step with the clear caveat and undertaking that Hamas must be disarmed." Dawn also reported a statement from Mohammad Dahlan, who accused Netanyahu of working "to obstruct the most promising opportunity to begin ending this war."
Key Claims
- The Board of Peace assured Netanyahu that Israel's withdrawal from Gaza would only begin after Hamas's complete disarmament, according to both Dawn and France 24 — English.
- Two members of Netanyahu's security cabinet urged a vote to tear up the deal championed by Trump after the board released a text calling for a phased withdrawal, as reported by both outlets.
- Nickolay Mladenov met with Netanyahu on Monday, according to both outlets.
- Israel's withdrawal beyond the Yellow Line will take place only once decommissioning of weapons is complete, as Hamas committed to the mediators, the board said on X, as reported by both outlets.
- Trump had earlier said that Israel was "very happy" about the disarmament announcement by Hamas, according to both outlets.
- Netanyahu's spokesman said Hamas's actions since the ceasefire have shown that it was preparing for "further October 7-style massacres," a claim carried by France 24 — English.
- Israeli President Isaac Herzog offered a more upbeat take on Trump's Gaza efforts, saying the latest development marked "a very positive step with the clear caveat and undertaking that Hamas must be disarmed," as reported by Dawn.
- Mohammad Dahlan accused Netanyahu of working "to obstruct the most promising opportunity to begin ending this war," as reported by Dawn.
- On Monday evening, an Israeli strike on a vehicle west of Gaza City killed two Palestinians and injured several others, according to both outlets.
- On Sunday, Israeli attacks killed 19 Palestinians, including women and children, as reported by Dawn.
- Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey criticised Israel after renewed strikes in the Palestinian territory, according to Dawn.