Security Council increasingly adopts Israel's stance on Gaza withdrawal and Hamas disarmament

The United States-backed Security Council is showing an increasing alignment with Israeli demands concerning the withdrawal of troops from Gaza. Recent shifts in the Council's stance now directly link the cessation of military presence to the disarmament of Hamas, a significant departure from earlier proposals that suggested a phased withdrawal.

This evolving position brings the Council's approach closer to the demands of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who insists on maintaining his forces in Gaza until Hamas is fully disarmed. The new conditions effectively cancel out previous, more gradual withdrawal plans, signaling a narrowing of negotiation space and a strengthening of Israel's leverage.

Reports indicate that the Council initially suggested Israel would withdraw to the 'Yellow Line' as part of the disarmament plan. However, this was later modified. The Council clarified that the withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) beyond the Yellow Line would only occur after the disarmament process is complete, encompassing light and heavy weapons as well as tunnels, as agreed upon with mediators.

This shift contradicts earlier statements by the Council's high representative, Nickolay Mladenov, who had emphasized that withdrawal must proceed in tandem with disarmament. Hamas had initially accepted the original arrangement. The Council's revised stance risks undermining the agreement and benefits Israel, which has resisted halting its operations or withdrawing from the Yellow Line. Reports also suggest Israel seeks assurances of its right to attack Gaza even after Hamas is disarmed, and objects to Turkey and Qatar's involvement in monitoring disarmament.

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Contrary to inaccurate reports, we affirm that the withdrawal of the IDF beyond the Yellow Line will only occur after the completion of the disarmament process, as agreed upon with Hamas. This includes light weapons, heavy weapons, and tunnels.