Council for Peace statement on path forward for Gaza

A senior representative for the Council for Peace has asserted that the current proposal is the sole path forward to prevent a recurrence of tragedy in the Gaza Strip. Nickolay Mladenov, who oversees Gaza affairs, told Israel's Channel 12 that the plan is the only option available.

Mladenov indicated that further negotiations are underway and expressed optimism that these discussions will lead to a universally favorable result. Earlier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed his cabinet that he rejected a plan wherein Hamas would hand over weapons to a nascent Palestinian governing authority, with Israel subsequently commencing a troop withdrawal from the war-ravaged territory.

Mladenov described the current stage of the agreement as a commitment involving the United States, Hamas, and the Council for Peace, explicitly noting Israel's exclusion from this particular phase. He reiterated assurances previously given to Netanyahu that Israel would only withdraw after Hamas was completely disarmed, diverging from earlier statements suggesting a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces.

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Our proposed option today is the only way forward, ensuring that such a tragedy does not happen again.

However, Mladenov maintained that Israel would eventually withdraw if Hamas's disarmament was confirmed. "If there is true demilitarization, Israel will withdraw from the Gaza Strip," he stated, clarifying that disarmament would encompass all Hamas weaponry, including Kalashnikov rifles. Israel insists that the weapons must not only be handed over but also destroyed.

The context for these discussions stems from Hamas's October 2023 terror attack on Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and over 250 hostages taken. This prompted Israel's large-scale offensive in Gaza, where official figures indicate more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed. An independent UN investigative commission has accused Israel of genocide during the conflict, while human rights organizations cite war crimes. Israel denies these allegations.

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If there is true demilitarization, Israel will withdraw from the Gaza Strip.