Israel has restricted its military strikes in the Gaza Strip as US President Donald Trump's negotiators continue talks with Hamas, according to a report by Ynet News. The reported decision comes as Trump's Board of Peace holds negotiations with Hamas over a possible disarmament plan. The talks also involve discussions about Israel's eventual withdrawal from Gaza.
Israel Changes Rules for Military Strikes in Gaza
The Israeli government has reportedly ordered its military to halt most strikes in Gaza while negotiations continue. Under the new rules, Israeli forces can respond if they identify an immediate threat. However, the military must stop other targeted strikes unless senior officials specifically approve them.
Either Chief of Staff Lieutenant Eyal Zamir or the Prime Minister's Office must reportedly give approval before such strikes can take place. The restrictions could provide negotiators with a temporary window to continue discussions without major Israeli military operations disrupting the process.
Mladenov Asks Netanyahu for Two-Week Pause
The development followed talks between Board of Peace Director General Nikolay Mladenov and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During their meeting, Mladenov reportedly asked Netanyahu to stop Israeli strikes in Gaza for two weeks.
He argued that the temporary pause would give negotiators enough time to complete their discussions with Hamas over disarmament.
Trump Announces Progress on Hamas Disarmament
The meeting between Mladenov and Netanyahu came days after Trump announced progress in negotiations with Hamas. On July 30, Trump said the Board of Peace had reached an agreement with Hamas on disarmament.
The Board of Peace separately said Hamas had accepted a “detailed road map” for giving up its weapons. Under the proposed arrangement, Israel would withdraw from Gaza in exchange for Hamas completing the disarmament process.
However, Israel had not publicly confirmed its acceptance of the arrangement at that stage. Israeli forces also continued lethal strikes in Gaza after Trump's announcement. This raised questions over whether Netanyahu had agreed to the proposed plan.
Israeli Withdrawal Linked to Hamas Disarmament
Following Mladenov's meeting with Netanyahu, the Board of Peace provided more details about the proposed arrangement. It said Israel would have to fully withdraw from Gaza only after Hamas completes its disarmament.
Under the proposed roadmap, Hamas would have to surrender different categories of weapons and military equipment. These would include heavy weapons, light weapons and equipment linked to its tunnel network. The International Stabilisation Force and an oversight committee would monitor the disarmament process.
Trump Calls Agreement a Critical Step
Trump welcomed the progress in negotiations when he announced the agreement in principle on July 30. He described it as “a critical step towards Gaza finally being governed by a new Palestinian government that will work closely with the Board of Peace to help the Palestinian people”.
Trump also stressed that the proposed arrangement should address Israel's security concerns. He said that “at the same time, Israel will have the security it deserves, with Gaza no longer used as a base for terror attacks”.
Questions Remain Over Whether Deal Will Hold
Despite the reported progress, doubts remain over whether Hamas and Israel will follow through with the proposed arrangement. Both sides have previously taken hardline positions during negotiations. Past diplomatic efforts have also broken down, leading both sides back into conflict. The latest talks will therefore face the challenge of securing lasting commitments from both sides.
Netanyahu Faces Political Pressure at Home
Israel's domestic political situation could also affect the negotiations. With elections approaching, Netanyahu faces pressure to maintain support from his far-right political allies. Their backing could prove crucial for his political survival. As a result, questions remain over whether Netanyahu will continue supporting the developing agreement if it creates tensions within his governing coalition.
For now, the reported restrictions on Israeli military strikes could give negotiators more time to work toward an agreement. However, its success will ultimately depend on whether both Israel and Hamas accept and implement the commitments under discussion.