Nickolay Mladenov, in charge of overseeing the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza, emphasized on Wednesday that the ceasefire’s success depended on Hamas disarming, a crucial issue that has hindered progress in various areas, such as the reconstruction of the heavily damaged region.
As the top representative for President Donald Trump’s International Board of Peace in Gaza, Mladenov highlighted that the lack of advancement in implementing the deal for several months was detrimental to both Israel and the Palestinians. He stressed that the deadlock primarily stemmed from Hamas’s failure to disarm, labeling it as a non-negotiable aspect. Mladenov pointed out that the impasse on disarmament was affecting progress on other critical matters, including reconstruction, Israeli troop withdrawals, and the formation of a new Palestinian government.
During a press briefing with international journalists in Jerusalem, Mladenov expressed that a sustainable future could not be built with armed factions controlling the streets, hidden in tunnels, and amassing weapons. He cautioned that without Hamas disarming, Gaza would face prolonged suffering.
Despite Hamas agreeing to disarm as part of the ceasefire, little headway has been made in this regard, with the militant group conditioning demilitarization on Israeli troop retreats. Currently, Israel’s military maintains control over more than half of Gaza, hindering the full execution of the ceasefire plan.
Mladenov, after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, acknowledged that the ceasefire’s envisioned plan faced significant challenges. He underscored the ongoing dire conditions endured by over two million residents in Gaza, where basic necessities like food, water, and healthcare remain scarce, while diseases spread due to rodent infestations.
The ceasefire, which allocated Israeli military control over half of Gaza east of a designated “yellow line,” has confined Palestinians to overcrowded tent camps near the coast, exacerbating humanitarian concerns. Mladenov criticized both sides for breaching the ceasefire but noted that it had mostly prevented a return to full-scale conflict.
Disarmament poses one of the most complex aspects of the ceasefire agreement, with Hamas reluctant to relinquish its arsenal, which includes rockets, anti-tank missiles, and explosives, in line with its founding principles of armed resistance against Israel.
Addressing Hamas’s consolidation of power in Gaza, Mladenov expressed hope that the group aimed to leverage its position for more favorable negotiation terms. He also indicated that Hamas could play a postwar role in Gaza if it disarmed, emphasizing that the political movement could participate in Palestinian elections once it renounced armed activities.
Israeli authorities have voiced their intention to dismantle Hamas, the governing body in Gaza for the past two decades, following the group’s orchestrated attack on Israel in 2023. The subsequent Israeli offensive has resulted in significant Palestinian casualties, with ongoing tensions between the parties despite the ceasefire.
Efforts to advance the phased ceasefire plan have stalled, with Israel and Hamas exchanging accusations of violations over the past seven months. The disagreement centers on the interpretation of terms related to Hamas’s disarmament, with Israel and the U.S. insisting on the complete surrender of all weapons, while Hamas seeks differentiation between various weapon categories.
Recent reports indicate an escalation of Israeli attacks in Gaza following a pause in joint operations with the U.S. in Iran. The increased military actions have led to a rise in Palestinian casualties, prompting concerns about the enduring conflict dynamics in the region.