UN Peace Council Chief Urges Israel to Improve Gaza Shelter Policy Ahead of Winter

Nikolay Mladenov, Executive Director of the UN Peace Council, addressed the UN Security Council on Thursday, warning about the concerning weather conditions approaching Gaza and criticizing Israel's current policy on providing adequate shelter to the Gaza Strip ahead of winter. He stated that Israel's refusal to allow caravans into Gaza, despite previous commitments, is unacceptable and called on Israel to change its approach.

Mladenov also reported that Hamas has agreed to disarm, though Israeli officials remain skeptical, emphasizing that ongoing talks aim to alleviate concerns and ensure disarmament occurs only after verified weapons dismantling in Gaza. The Peace Council further urged an end to all "military activities" in Gaza, including the launching of incendiary balloons into Israel and Israeli Defense Forces strikes against threats that are not "real and immediate." The council communicated this message through existing channels and insisted Israel comply with the ceasefire.

This call to halt military actions comes amid Israel's demand to stop balloon launches within three days to prevent escalation. Additionally, the IDF has been officially instructed not to push the "yellow line" westward in Gaza. The report also noted that Prime Minister Netanyahu's opposition to the Gaza agreement is influenced by political pressure.