Hamas rejected demands Thursday from the Trump-led Board of Peace to begin implementing the 15-point Gaza reconstruction and disarmament plan, saying Israel has not yet fulfilled all its commitments under the agreement's first phase.
The Board of Peace informed Hamas that from its perspective, implementation could proceed, citing what it characterized as Israeli compliance with required conditions. Israel has ceased targeted killings and non-essential military operations, the Board said, with military activity now limited to operations within the official "yellow line" demarcation.
For eight days, the IDF refrained from initiating strikes except for operations to defend the yellow line, according to reporting by Srugim. Despite this pause, Hamas leadership did not respond to the Board's demand and rejected Israeli claims regarding violations by the organization.
Hamas presented a series of conditions as prerequisites for implementation. The organization is demanding the opening of the Rafah crossing, a complete cessation of fire by the IDF, and the immediate start of physical reconstruction in Gaza through the entry of heavy equipment.
Additionally, Hamas is conditioning progress on the agreement's implementation on the formal entry of international security forces designated to monitor the ceasefire and the establishment of an international oversight committee. Turkey and Qatar are expected to participate in the committee, according to the report.
In recent months, Hamas has stopped payments to companies and suppliers operating in Gaza and cut salaries for civilian government employees. A central demand the organization presented to Board representatives and mediators was that the Board assume payment of these civilian debts on its behalf, citing depleted resources and an inability to pay.
"The organization's resources are depleted," according to Hamas's position conveyed to mediators.
The dispute over Hamas's preconditions is delaying the start of the disarmament implementation process, even as the Peace Council maintains that Israel has already met the conditions required of it.
