Israel has raised objections to the US-backed roadmap for the disarmament of Palestinian factions and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The occupation state is seeking the right to continue military operations in the enclave while the agreement is implemented.
The roadmap, announced by US President Donald Trump and his Board of Peace, calls for weapons held by Palestinians to be decommissioned gradually as Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza in corresponding phases.
Read: Israel rejects mediators’ Gaza proposal, insists on Hamas disarmament: Yedioth Ahronoth
There is disagreement over the sequencing, with Hamas insisting that disarmament should proceed alongside a phased Israeli withdrawal, while Israel says it will not withdraw until the Palestinian group has fully disarmed.
Two sources familiar with the discussions told AP that Israel had communicated its objections to former UK prime minister Tony Blair, who sits on the Board of Peace. Israel is seeking “freedom to conduct military operations in Gaza” under the proposed arrangement.
