The Lead
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) has agreed to the Gaza disarmament plan proposed by the Board of Peace, according to Arab sources cited by the Saudi outlet Al-Arabiya. The development follows Hamas's formal acceptance of the proposal last week and initiates a 14-day window for all parties to finalize a specific timeline for the implementation of each stage. While the framework outlines a gradual Israeli military withdrawal in exchange for the surrender of weapons, Jerusalem has maintained that any pullout remains strictly contingent on the genuine and verified disarmament of terror factions in the Strip.
The reported agreement by Palestinian Islamic Jihad marks a significant expansion of the disarmament framework brokered by the U.S.-led Board of Peace. The plan, which seeks to establish a "one authority, one weapon" model in Gaza, requires terror groups to lay down their military assets in exchange for a phased Israeli withdrawal and the transfer of administrative control to a technocratic Palestinian government.
Implementation Gaps and Verification
Despite the diplomatic movement, substantial gaps remain between the parties' expectations. As The Zioneer reported earlier, Hamas and other factions have previously expressed a desire to retain light arms and tunnel infrastructure, while Israel's security establishment remains focused on the practical verification of tunnel destruction and the prevention of future rearmament. The current 14-day window is intended to resolve these friction points by establishing a concrete schedule for the surrender of heavy weaponry and the synchronization of security transitions.
Regional Context and Outlook
The involvement of PIJ is particularly notable given its status as a primary Iranian proxy. While the group's military infrastructure has been largely dismantled during the current conflict, its ideological commitment to Israel's destruction remains a hurdle for long-term stability. The Board of Peace, established under the second Trump administration, is pushing for a 200-to-300-day implementation timeline. Observers will be watching whether the 14-day negotiation period yields a verifiable roadmap or if the demands for a total Israeli withdrawal prior to full disarmament lead to a deadlock.
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