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Top Gaza Official Accuses Israel of Jeopardizing Cease-Fire by Continuing Strikes on Hamas

Nickolay Mladenov criticizes rejection of plan to disarm militant group as ceasefire holds by a thread

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By LineZotpaper
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Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace’s high representative for Gaza, on Wednesday accused Israel of undermining the fragile cease-fire by continuing airstrikes on what it says are Hamas targets, after Israel rejected a proposed plan to disarm the militant group. His remarks come as international mediators scramble to prevent a return to full-scale hostilities.

In a sharply worded statement, Mladenov said Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza “directly contradict the spirit and letter of the cease-fire agreement” and risk triggering a new cycle of violence. He called on both sides to adhere to the truce and resume negotiations.

Israel has not formally responded to Mladenov’s criticism, but officials have previously argued that targeted strikes are necessary to prevent Hamas from rebuilding its military capabilities following the devastating war that began in October 2023. The Israeli government also rejected a disarmament proposal put forward by mediators in recent weeks, insisting that any long-term arrangement must ensure that Hamas is unable to threaten Israeli communities.

Hamas, for its part, has demanded a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and an end to all attacks as a condition for discussing disarmament. The group has not commented directly on the Board of Peace plan, which was reportedly backed by Egypt, Qatar, and the United Nations.

The cease-fire, brokered earlier this year after months of intense diplomacy, has held partially but remains extremely fragile. Sporadic exchanges of fire have been reported along the border, with each side blaming the other for violations. Humanitarian aid deliveries have resumed but remain far below levels needed to address the widespread destruction and displacement of Gaza’s population.

Mladenov, a former United Nations envoy to the Middle East who now leads the Board of Peace’s Gaza mission, stressed that “time is running out” for a political solution. He urged international actors to increase pressure on both parties to accept a comprehensive framework that would include a mutual ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, and a clear path toward reconstruction.

Analysts say the Biden administration, which has maintained strong support for Israel, has grown increasingly frustrated with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to agree to a long-term truce that includes conditions on Hamas’s demilitarization. Meanwhile, Arab states have called for a unified approach that ties normalization with Israel to progress on Palestinian statehood.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The Israeli rejection of a disarmament plan and continued airstrikes threaten to unravel the current cease-fire, which has already allowed limited humanitarian relief.
  • A return to full-scale war would deepen the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where over 40,000 people have been killed and large areas reduced to rubble.
  • The stance of the Board of Peace, a key mediation body, indicates growing international impatience with Israel’s military approach and signals potential shifts in diplomatic pressure.

Background

The cease-fire was reached in early 2025 after months of intense negotiations mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United Nations, following the 2023-2024 war triggered by Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel. The agreement initially halted major combat operations and allowed for increased aid, but it never resolved fundamental issues such as the status of Hamas, Israel’s security demands, or a timeline for reconstruction. In recent weeks, Israel has resumed targeted strikes on what it calls Hamas infrastructure, citing violations of the cease-fire. The Board of Peace, a non-governmental organization founded by former diplomats, has tried to broker a comprehensive deal that includes disarmament, but Israel views the plan as unacceptable because it does not guarantee Israel’s long-term security.

Key Perspectives

[Board of Peace / Nickolay Mladenov]: Maintaining that continued Israeli strikes are a major obstacle to peace and that disarmament must be part of any sustainable cease-fire. He warns that without a political horizon, violence will resume. [Israel]: Argues that targeted operations are defensive, necessary to prevent Hamas from rearming, and that the Board of Peace's plan is unrealistic because it assumes Hamas will voluntarily disarm without a total defeat. [Hamas]: Insists on a full Israeli withdrawal and an end to all attacks before any discussion of giving up weapons. Views disarmament as a surrender that it will not accept. [Critics and Humanitarian Organizations]: Note that both sides are violating the spirit of the cease-fire. They emphasize that the humanitarian catastrophe is ongoing and that the absence of a credible political process leaves civilians in limbo.

What to Watch

  • Israel’s next moves: further escalation could collapse the cease-fire entirely; restraint could open room for renewed talks.
  • The Board of Peace’s next report to the UN Security Council – may trigger new resolutions or calls for sanctions.
  • Public statements from the Biden administration and Gulf states: any shift in U.S. pressure on Israel would be a major indicator.

Sources

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Articles published under the Zotpaper byline are synthesized from multiple source publications by our AI editor and reviewed by our editorial process. Each story combines reporting from credible outlets to give readers a balanced, comprehensive view.

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