The Board of Peace faces intense criticism after its top diplomat blamed Hamas for the stalled Gaza ceasefire. Regional analysts warn that this one-sided approach risks an immediate return to full-scale war.
Nickolay Mladenov, the “high representative for Gaza,” told the UN Security Council that Hamas represents the “principal obstacle” to peace. He argued that the movement “refused to accept verified decommissioning, relinquish coercive control and allow a genuine civilian transition.”
However, Hamas strongly rejected these accusations. Spokesman Hazem Qassem stated that the report “reflects continued adoption of the Israeli position and serves as an attempt to justify further Israeli escalation.”
Flawed Implementation and Rising Casualties
Furthermore, observers note that Israel has consistently violated the October truce agreement. Israeli forces have launched regular airstrikes and advanced past the agreed ceasefire line. Consequently, Israel now controls 60% of Gaza instead of the stipulated 53%. Tragically, these military actions have killed more than 850 Palestinians since October.
Additionally, Israel blocks vital humanitarian relief. It refuses to allow the agreed 600 aid trucks per day into the strip. It also restricts “dual-use” items, which prevents agencies from importing water pipes and heavy machinery.
Muhammad Shehada, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, highlighted this imbalance. He warned that the report gives Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “free hand” to declare war. “Israel never fulfilled any of its obligations under phase one of the deal,” Shehada noted, questioning why anyone would trust Israel to honor subsequent phases.
The Disarmament Deadlock
Mladenov’s roadmap requires Palestinian groups to surrender their weapons to a transitional committee. Nevertheless, Israeli analyst Gershon Baskin notes that Hamas has “indicated its willingness to begin the process of disarmament.” He clarified that Hamas demands reciprocal steps from Israel, which has yet to fulfill its own commitments.
Meanwhile, Israel refuses to let the transitional administration enter Gaza from Egypt. Baskin believes Israel is intentionally generating conditions for conflict. “The big problem is that Israel wants to renew the war,” he stated.
Daniel Levy, head of the US/Middle East Project, concurred that Hamas remains open to a political transition. He noted that Hamas’s readiness to hand over governance remains beyond question. “They are not going to wave a white flag of surrender,” Levy emphasized. Consequently, the peace process remains dangerously deadlocked.
