Abu dhabi: Israel must implement its commitments under the Gaza peace roadmap for the process to move forward, Nickolay Mladenov, High Representative for Gaza at the Board of Peace, said on Monday. Speaking at the third Hili Forum in Abu Dhabi, Mladenov stated that while progress had been made compared to a year ago, the situation remained far from what was needed to achieve a political solution.
According to Anadolu Agency, Mladenov emphasized the necessity of ensuring that the agreements reached are implemented to significantly improve the lives of the people in Gaza. However, he noted that the desired progress has not yet been achieved. Discussions are ongoing with Israel regarding the implementation of their commitments, including withdrawal in exchange for the disarmament of Hamas and the initiation of reconstruction efforts in the Palestinian enclave.
Mladenov highlighted the seven months of negotiations with Hamas on disarmament, describing them as intense and difficult. He praised the mediation efforts of Trkiye, Egypt, and Qatar, as well as support from the UAE and other regional countries. Despite these efforts, he expressed concern about the 'terrible conditions' in Gaza and the urgency of preventing another harsh winter under current circumstances.
The High Representative outlined three possible paths: maintaining the current situation, expanding Israeli military operations and reoccupying Gaza, or implementing the Board of Peace roadmap. He described the third option as the 'reasonable' one, requiring disarmament by agreement, an agreed Israeli withdrawal, and reconstruction with international and regional support.
Mladenov cautioned that failure to advance the roadmap could render the two-state solution 'practically impossible.' He stressed the importance of transitional governance, decommissioning of weapons, and Israeli withdrawal in Gaza as essential steps toward rebuilding political dialogue and coexistence between Palestinians and Israelis.
Addressing concerns about the potential impact of a new Israeli government following the October elections, Mladenov acknowledged that election periods can lead to 'knee-jerk reactions' and political posturing. However, he expressed confidence that Israelis ultimately desire to move beyond the ongoing tragedy in Gaza. He highlighted the 'massive emotional, political, human suffering' experienced by both Israelis and Palestinians, advocating for a long-term perspective despite short-term political pressures.
The Board of Peace, established in January as part of US President Donald Trump's broader plan for Gaza, is tasked with overseeing the transition, including governance, security, and reconstruction. Supported by UN Security Council Resolution 2803, the initiative aims to facilitate peace and stability in the region.
Additionally, a Palestinian technocratic body, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, was established to manage civilian administration, restore public services, and rebuild institutions in the enclave. The Board of Peace issued a roadmap on July 31 outlining the next phase of the Gaza plan, including Hamas' disarmament, a phased Israeli withdrawal, the transfer of administration to the Palestinian technocratic committee, the deployment of an international stabilization force, and reconstruction efforts.
The third Hili Forum, held in Abu Dhabi under the theme 'Gulf at Crossroads: Conflict, Consequences and Course Correction,' is co-organized by the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research and the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy.