Peace Council: IDF Withdrawal Only After Hamas Disarms

Hamas disarmament remains the central condition for any further IDF withdrawal from Gaza, according to a Peace Council statement following a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Nikolay Mladenov.

Mladenov, the Director-General of the Peace Council, met with Netanyahu as questions continue over the implementation of the Gaza roadmap. The Peace Council said the objective is “clear and undisputed”: the complete dismantling of all weapons in Gaza and the transition from armed rule to civilian government.

The statement also pushed back against reports suggesting an earlier Israeli withdrawal. “Contrary to inaccurate reports, the IDF’s withdrawal beyond the yellow line will only take place after the disarmament is completed,” the Peace Council said.

The statement said Hamas had committed to that condition before the mediators. It also stressed that the requirement applies to light weapons, heavy weapons, and tunnels.

The Tanakh says, “Seek peace and pursue it.” That verse gives this moment its proper frame. Real peace is not a slogan. It requires the removal of weapons from those who used them to murder, abduct, and terrorize civilians.

Hamas Disarmament Comes First

For Israel, the Peace Council statement addresses the core security question. Israel cannot withdraw from key areas while Hamas still holds weapons, tunnels, and armed command structures. Such a move would risk repeating the same pattern that led to October 7: terror rule, international pressure, and Israeli civilians left exposed.

The statement therefore sets a clear order. First, Hamas must disarm. Then, the IDF can move beyond the yellow line. That sequence matters because it turns disarmament from a promise into a condition.

For the United States, the statement also carries weight. Washington’s credibility depends on whether any Gaza plan produces real demilitarization, not just diplomatic language. If Hamas keeps its weapons while Israel withdraws, the agreement would weaken quickly.

October 7 And The Test Of Enforcement

This issue ties directly to “IDF Eliminates Hamas Commander Who Infiltrated Nir Oz.” The IDF eliminated a Hamas Nukhba commander who infiltrated Nir Oz, as U.S. embassies across the Middle East warned Americans of possible escalation.

Israel is still pursuing the terrorists who entered its communities on October 7. At the same time, diplomats are trying to shape Gaza’s postwar future. Those tracks cannot contradict each other. A civilian government in Gaza can only succeed if Hamas loses the armed power that allowed it to dominate civilians and attack Israel.

For America, the same principle applies. A stable Gaza would support regional security, reduce escalation risks, and strengthen U.S. diplomacy. However, that outcome requires verification and consequences.

Covenant Of Peace With Enforcement

The United States and Israel share a covenantal understanding before God rooted in justice, the protection of life, lawful order, and peace through strength.

America’s covenantal tradition emphasizes liberty under God, responsible leadership, and the defense of allies against terror. Israel’s covenant is ancient and unique, rooted in the God of Israel, Torah, Jewish peoplehood, and the return to the land.

America wants a Gaza future that does not require endless war. Israel wants the same future, but it cannot accept a formula that leaves Hamas armed beneath a civilian cover.

The Peace Council’s statement gives the agreement a serious test. Words about disarmament must become visible action. Weapons must leave Hamas’s control. Tunnels must be dismantled. Armed rule must end.

Ultimately, the question is not whether Israel wants peace. The question is whether Hamas will surrender the tools of war that made peace impossible. Until that happens, Israel’s security cannot rest on promises alone.

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