Israel will not have to withdraw its forces from Gaza until Palestinian groups surrender their weapons under the Board of Peace’s plan, its senior envoy has said contradicting his earlier position stating that it did. Speaking to Israel’s Channel 12, Nikolay Mladenov said any withdrawal would follow the verified decommissioning of weapons. Last of all, Israel, before we actually have verified steps on the ground.” He said Israel would retain the right to launch military attacks against what it considered imminent threats. Turkey and Qatar would help verify compliance, he added, although the US would control the process.