BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
The official overseeing the U.S.-brokered ceasefire process in Gaza warned the on Thursday that the fragile truce between Israel and Hamas could unravel unless both sides fully comply with their commitments, urging the international community to intensify pressure on Hamas to disarm while also demanding that Israel uphold its obligations under the agreement.
, the senior representative of the Board of Peace established under President , told the Security Council that every outbreak of violence or delay in implementation risks destabilizing the ceasefire and worsening conditions for millions of Palestinians living in Gaza.
Mladenov said the territory stood at a crossroads between continued deterioration and the possibility of a political and humanitarian reset, warning that there was no realistic middle ground between the two outcomes.
Addressing diplomats at the United Nations headquarters, Mladenov stressed that Palestinians in Gaza continue to endure desperate humanitarian conditions while awaiting meaningful reconstruction, political transition and long-term security guarantees.
His remarks expanded on the Board of Peace’s first formal assessment of the ceasefire process, which identified Hamas’ refusal to surrender weapons, dismantle its military infrastructure and transfer authority to a civilian administration as the primary obstacle preventing full implementation of the agreement.
The report stated that Hamas has resisted internationally verified decommissioning measures and has continued to maintain coercive control over Gaza despite the ceasefire arrangement negotiated earlier this year.
strongly criticized the findings, accusing the board of ignoring what it described as Israel’s repeated violations of the ceasefire terms, including military operations, territorial expansion and restrictions on humanitarian aid entering Gaza.
The militant group has consistently linked any discussion of disarmament to a broader Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza. Since the ceasefire took effect in October, Israeli forces have reportedly expanded their operational control across significant portions of the territory, with estimates suggesting Israel now controls roughly 60% of Gaza.
The war began after Hamas carried out its October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, triggering a devastating conflict that caused widespread destruction across Gaza and displaced much of the enclave’s population.
Mladenov warned that failure to implement the ceasefire roadmap could leave Gaza permanently fragmented, with Hamas retaining administrative and military influence over approximately two million Palestinians confined to less than half of the territory amid devastated infrastructure and limited prospects for reconstruction.
He said such an outcome would represent a dangerous future not only for Palestinians but also for Israelis and the broader Middle East region.
According to Mladenov, the proposed disarmament process would take place gradually under a structured timeline agreed upon by all parties. Weapons surrendered by Hamas and other armed Palestinian groups would not be transferred to Israel but instead placed under the control of a transitional governing authority intended to oversee Gaza’s civilian administration during reconstruction efforts.
He urged the Security Council to provide clear and unified backing for the roadmap and called on member states to use all available diplomatic tools to pressure Hamas into accepting the framework without further delay.
At the same time, Mladenov stressed that Israel must also comply fully with its ceasefire commitments, particularly regarding civilian protections and humanitarian access.
The ceasefire agreement was initially welcomed internationally as a potential turning point after months of intense warfare, but implementation has been repeatedly challenged by continued violence, disputes over troop deployments and disagreements regarding political control of Gaza.
told the Security Council that all parties must adhere to their obligations under the ceasefire agreement in order to create conditions for lasting peace and regional stability.
Mansour did not directly address demands for Hamas to disarm but emphasized that international law must apply equally to all sides involved in the conflict. He argued that the ceasefire represented an opportunity to establish security and prosperity for both Palestinians and Israelis if properly enforced.
Israel’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations, , sharply criticized what he described as unrealistic diplomatic expectations regarding Hamas.
Miller accused Hamas of using negotiations as cover to rebuild its military capabilities and consolidate control over Gaza rather than genuinely transitioning toward a political settlement.
He told council members that Hamas remained a militant force preparing for future conflict rather than a political movement seeking peaceful coexistence.
The debate at the United Nations highlighted the deep divisions surrounding the ceasefire process and the broader future of Gaza following the war.
Shortly after Mladenov’s briefing, leaders from several major humanitarian organizations challenged the Board of Peace’s assessment, arguing that it failed to accurately reflect the humanitarian reality facing Palestinians inside Gaza.
of said the ceasefire’s most basic humanitarian commitments — including unrestricted aid access — had still not been fully implemented.
Aid groups have repeatedly warned that shortages of food, medicine, fuel and shelter continue to affect large parts of Gaza despite the reduction in large-scale fighting. Humanitarian organizations say damaged infrastructure, restrictions on movement and continued insecurity have severely limited relief operations and reconstruction efforts.
International mediators continue attempting to preserve the ceasefire while negotiating broader arrangements involving governance, reconstruction and long-term security guarantees for the region.
Diplomats say the coming weeks may prove critical in determining whether the ceasefire evolves into a more permanent political process or collapses under the weight of unresolved disputes and deep mistrust between the parties.
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