Israel is demanding that the process of disarming Gaza begin on October 7, the anniversary of the 2023 Hamas massacre, according to a report by Al-Arabiya citing sources familiar with the negotiations.

According to the report, President Donald Trump’s recent comments on the issue came after Israeli polling showed significant public opposition to an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

The Board of Peace has reportedly made clear that the political future of Hamas leaders in any future Palestinian government will depend on disarmament. Board envoy Nikolay Mladenov also told Hamas that negotiations cannot move forward while weapons remain widespread throughout Gaza.

The Board of Peace informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel is not required to begin withdrawing from Gaza until Hamas has been fully disarmed, as part of the second phase of the October 10, 2025 ceasefire agreement.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem, meanwhile, told AFP that the terror organization remains committed to the agreed framework but claimed Israel has yet to provide mediators with clear approval of the roadmap.

The developments follow a series of meetings held by U.S. envoy Jared Kushner in Egypt and Israel, during which it was agreed that an American officer would oversee the handover of weapons.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)