Nikolay Mladenov, the high representative of the International Peace Committee overseeing the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, today reiterated long-standing demands that Hamas and other militant groups must disarm and that this is something that is non-negotiable.
Seven months ago, the US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas included disarmament as a key provision, but little progress has been made on it.
Mladenov said Hamas could have a role in post-war Gaza if it disarmed.
"We are not asking Hamas to disappear as a political movement," he said.
He criticized the group for consolidating power in parts of Gaza and said they were doing so to "squeeze out better terms in negotiations."
His statements are inconsistent with some of Israel's stated goals of destroying the militant group that has ruled Gaza for two decades.
Mladenov arrived in Jerusalem today in an effort to make progress on the ceasefire agreement negotiated between Israel and Hamas with US mediation more than seven months ago.
His arrival comes as efforts towards a phased ceasefire have stalled and little progress has been made on key issues, including the demilitarization and reconstruction of the territory.
The ceasefire called for Hamas to surrender its weapons, Israeli forces to withdraw, and the destroyed parts of the coastal enclave to be rebuilt after more than two years of war.
Instead, seven months into the ceasefire, Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating it. Aid groups say Israel has not allowed promised aid into Gaza. Hamas has not disarmed and still controls about half of Gaza.
Israel has stepped up attacks on Gaza in recent days since a ceasefire in the US-Iran war came into effect, and many Palestinians fear that airstrikes and all-out war will soon resume.
Mladenov, a longtime UN diplomat and consultant who was also a minister in his native Bulgaria, was appointed last year as the high representative for Gaza of the International Peace Commission led by US President Donald Trump, tasked with overseeing the implementation of post-war plans for the territory.
The Israel-Hamas war began when Hamas militants invaded Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1.200 people and taking 251 hostages. The ensuing Israeli offensive has killed more than 72.724 Palestinians, including at least 846 since the ceasefire took effect last October, according to Gaza's health ministry.
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