Hamas awaits official response on Gaza phase 2 as Netanyahu conditions withdrawal on full disarmament

GAZA, Aug. 05 (YPA) – Basem Naim, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, stated on Wednesday that the movement is still awaiting an official response from “Peace Council” coordinator Nikolay Mladenov and mediators regarding the roadmap for implementing the second phase of the agreement.

Naim praised the mediators’ statements holding the Israeli occupation accountable for ongoing violations and delays.

In response, Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conditioned the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from their positions in the Gaza Strip on the complete disarmament of Hamas, emphasizing adherence to Israeli security interests amid disputes over implementation mechanisms. The “Peace Council” had previously clarified that a comprehensive Israeli withdrawal remains contingent upon the dismantling of weapons and tunnels.

These developments take place against the backdrop of continuous violations of the ceasefire agreement in effect since October 10, 2025. The roadmap stipulates transferring the administration of the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian technocratic committee, deploying an international stabilization force, and placing weaponry under the committee’s administration under international oversight, concurrent with a phased Israeli withdrawal and reconstruction efforts.

For its part, Hamas stressed the necessity of adhering to the obligations of the first phase—including stopping attacks and delivering humanitarian aid—before moving on to any other files.

YPA