Nickolay Mladenov, the chief diplomat overseeing the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza, emphasized on Wednesday that the ceasefire relies heavily on Hamas disarming, a crucial point that has hindered progress on various fronts, including the reconstruction of the mostly devastated enclave.
Mladenov, the high representative for the International Board of Peace in Gaza under U.S. President Donald Trump, expressed concern that months passing without advancements in implementing the agreement did not benefit either Israel or the Palestinians. He emphasized that the phased agreement had hit a roadblock due to Hamas’ non-compliance with disarmament, which he deemed as “non-negotiable.” This lack of progress on disarmament was impeding advancements on other critical issues such as reconstruction, Israeli troop withdrawals, and the formation of a new Palestinian government.
During a briefing with foreign journalists in Jerusalem, Mladenov stressed the impossibility of building a sustainable future with armed groups roaming the streets and stockpiling weapons. He warned that reconstruction efforts would be hindered with militias present at every corner. Mladenov highlighted the urgent need for Hamas to disarm, stating that without it, Gaza would face prolonged suffering.
Despite Hamas agreeing to disarm as part of the ceasefire, significant progress towards this goal has not been achieved, according to international mediators. The deadlock persists as Hamas seeks to tie demilitarization to Israeli troop withdrawals, with Israel currently controlling more than half of Gaza.
Mladenov, following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, acknowledged the challenging start to the envisioned plan outlined in the ceasefire. He underscored the dire living conditions for the over two million residents of Gaza, pointing out the inadequate access to essential resources such as food, water, and healthcare, exacerbated by rodent infestations.
While both sides have been accused of ceasefire violations, Mladenov noted that the ceasefire has largely held, preventing a return to full-scale war. Disarmament remains a crucial and complex aspect of the agreement, with Hamas hesitant to relinquish its weapons, including rockets and explosives, as outlined in Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza.
Mladenov criticized Hamas for consolidating power in parts of Gaza under its control, suggesting that the group aimed to negotiate better terms by maintaining its armed capabilities. He also proposed a potential future role for Hamas in post-war Gaza if the group complies with disarmament, emphasizing that political participation could continue without armed activities.
