Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will not withdraw IDF forces from Gaza until Hamas "lays down all of its arms," and confirmed Israel returned a U.S. draft on disarmament with comments. BoP chief Nickolay Mladenov met Netanyahu seeking a halt to strikes and a proposed 14-day ceasefire to begin demilitarization efforts. The BoP calls for the complete decommissioning of weapons and a transition to civilian governance, but Israel has already rejected requests to pull forces until the threat is eliminated.
Netanyahu Rejects BoP 14-Day Ceasefire Plan — Refuses To Withdraw IDF Until Hamas Is Fully Disarmed
IDF Armor Brigade 7 soldiers operate in Gaza on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video posted to his Facebook page that Israel will not withdraw IDF forces from their current positions in Gaza until Hamas "lays down all of its arms." He emphasized that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) will be permitted to "do everything necessary to protect themselves," safeguard Israeli territory and protect citizens.
Netanyahu also confirmed that the White House had forwarded a draft proposal on Hamas's disarmament. Israel did not accept the draft; officials say it was returned with comments for further negotiation.
Board of Peace (BoP) Director-General and High Representative for Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov, met with Netanyahu and urged a halt to IDF strikes so a proposed 14-day ceasefire can begin, sources told The Jerusalem Post. The BoP described the meeting as "constructive and detailed," saying both sides share the same long-term objective for Gaza.
The BoP has framed that objective as the "complete decommissioning of weapons in the [Gaza] Strip and the transition away from rule by the gun to civilian governance." It says any Israeli withdrawal should be conditional on removing all weapons and military infrastructure from Gaza — explicitly citing light and heavy weapons as well as tunnels.
Israeli officials had already rejected the BoP's request last week to remove IDF forces from Gaza, and Netanyahu reiterated that full disarmament remains a precondition for any pullback. His remarks underline Israel's insistence on concrete guarantees that Hamas cannot rearm before a reduction in military presence.
Context: The exchange highlights ongoing international efforts — including U.S. proposals and BoP mediation — aimed at pauses in fighting and mechanisms for demilitarization. Reporters Amichai Stein and Idan Kweller contributed to this report.
Help us improve.
