Eisenkot says full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza could take years

Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Israeli opposition party Yashar, said on Sunday that a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip could take years and would depend on Israel’s demands being met.

Responding to a question on the “All In” podcast about when the last Israeli soldier would leave Gaza, Eisenkot said: “A complete withdrawal from the entire Gaza Strip will take years, and it will only happen if all our demands are met.”

His position differs from the withdrawal timetable outlined under US President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza.

A ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip based on Trump’s plan took effect on 10th October 2025.

The second phase of the plan includes arrangements for disarming Palestinian factions, deploying an international stabilisation force, administering Gaza through a Palestinian technocratic committee and beginning reconstruction, alongside a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from areas they control in the territory.

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The Israeli military currently controls approximately 70 percent of the Gaza Strip, according to the report.

On 30th July, the Peace Council announced a 15-point roadmap for implementing the second phase. The plan included disarming Hamas and other Palestinian factions, transferring administration of Gaza to a “National Committee” and carrying out a phased Israeli withdrawal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the roadmap on 9th August, insisting that complete disarmament take place before any Israeli withdrawal.

Hamas subsequently called for international action to compel Israel to implement the roadmap and reiterated its commitment to the arrangements it said had been agreed with mediators and the Peace Council.

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