UN Peace Council Chief Outlines Gradual Israeli Withdrawal from Gaza Linked to Full Disarmament

Nikolay Mladenov, the UN Peace Council's chief, detailed a phased plan for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza contingent on Hamas's complete disarmament, in an exclusive interview with Channel 12 on August 9, 2026. Responding to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rejection of the "15-point" peace roadmap, Mladenov emphasized that Israel would not retreat before tangible disarmament steps occur on the ground. The withdrawal would proceed area by area, only after weapons, including personal firearms like Kalashnikovs, tunnels, and production sites are dismantled or rendered unusable.

Mladenov explained that the roadmap, negotiated between the UN Peace Council led by former U.S. President Donald Trump and Hamas, aims to prevent Gaza from threatening Israeli security again, referencing the October 7 attacks. The plan requires Hamas to relinquish not only weapons but also governance responsibilities in Gaza to the Peace Council, including control over tunnels and infrastructure. An international security force, led by the U.S. military, would oversee implementation and ensure compliance.

He acknowledged concerns about Turkey and Qatar's involvement but defended their critical role in securing Hamas's agreement. Mladenov also noted regional support from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Morocco, which contributes forces to the effort. He warned that if Hamas fails to meet commitments, the process would halt immediately. The disarmament includes all weapons and infrastructure, with tunnel destruction expected to take over a decade at the current pace, though efforts to accelerate this are underway.

Mladenov stressed that Israel retains the right to respond to immediate threats during the process. He dismissed reliance on trust in Hamas, highlighting that progress depends on verifiable actions rather than faith. He concluded that full implementation of the roadmap is the only way to prevent a recurrence of the October 7 tragedy, while delays or disputes risk renewed hostilities. Netanyahu, however, maintains Israel will not withdraw until Hamas is fully disarmed and continues discussions with the U.S. on the plan's terms.