Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar Party and former chief of staff of the Israeli military, criticized the Board of Peace’s (BoP) framework for implementing U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, accusing it of enabling Hamas to retain power. In a social media post, Eisenkot claimed the framework reflects the “Netanyahu-Smotrich concept” of favoring Hamas rule, which he argued contributed to the October 7, 2023, attack. He emphasized that Israel must not accept a scenario in which Hamas continues to survive, rearm, and prepare for future violence. Likud Party officials swiftly condemned Eisenkot’s remarks, labeling them as an attempt to undermine Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A Likud post, later shared by Netanyahu himself, accused Eisenkot of “capitulating” to Hamas, citing his past calls for an IDF withdrawal from Gaza following his resignation from the Knesset in 2025. The post framed Eisenkot’s criticism as an embarrassment to the government, suggesting that his focus on Hamas survival contradicted broader national security objectives. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett joined the critique, alleging that Qatar has gained undue influence over Gaza under the BoP’s proposal. Bennett expressed concern that Netanyahu is “bowing his head and folding,” warning that Hamas is becoming stronger and must be disarmed before any IDF withdrawal occurs. He stressed that allowing Hamas to store weapons in warehouses under Qatari control would pose a serious threat to regional stability. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also rejected the BoP’s plan, describing it as “not acceptable to Israel.” He likened the proposed ceasefire to a tacit approval of Hamas regrouping for future attacks, arguing that targeted killings in Gaza should continue and that Israel must maintain a winning stance. His comments underscored the deepening divisions within the Israeli political establishment regarding the terms of the peace deal. According to a diplomatic source cited by The Jerusalem Post, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) will not withdraw from its current position along the Yellow Line in Gaza until Hamas fully disarms. This stance aligns with the BoP’s proposal, which mandates the surrender of all Hamas weapons, followed by their storage and dismantling. The process, however, requires meticulous planning, including the involvement of NCAG police officers who will oversee the weapon storage sites after undergoing Shin Bet security checks. A multinational force will also monitor the operation to ensure compliance. Currently, a two-week ceasefire is in effect to finalize the details of the disarmament process. If Hamas fails to initiate the disarmament phase during this period, the ceasefire could be terminated, effectively ending the negotiations. During this time, the IDF will halt its operations, creating a pause in hostilities to facilitate the handover of weapons. Once the process begins, Israel’s withdrawal from the Yellow Line will occur only after full demilitarization is confirmed. Hamas, in response to the BoP’s proposal, issued a public statement asserting that it will not proceed with disarmament unless Israeli forces completely withdraw from Gaza and dismantle the “armed gangs and militias formed by the occupation.” Additionally, Hamas demanded guarantees for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in the Gaza Strip, highlighting the complex and often conflicting priorities among the parties involved. As the situation unfolds, the Israeli government faces mounting pressure to balance security concerns with the pursuit of a lasting peace. With political factions divided on the implications of the BoP’s framework, the path forward remains uncertain, contingent on whether Hamas can meet the conditions set forth by the international community and Israeli leaders alike.
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