BoP Urges Israel to Fulfill Gaza Commitments for Peace Roadmap
Istanbul (ANTARA) - Israel must fulfil its commitments based on the Gaza peace roadmap for the process to continue, stated Nickolay Mladenov, the High Representative of the Board of Peace (BoP) for Gaza, on Monday (7/9).
Speaking at the third Hili Forum in Abu Dhabi, Mladenov noted that while progress has been made compared to a year ago, the situation remains far from what is required to achieve a political solution.
“We are still at a point where we need to ensure that what has been agreed upon will be implemented and will significantly change the lives of the people in Gaza,” he said. “Unfortunately, we have not yet reached that stage.”
He also mentioned that discussions with Israel are ongoing regarding the “implementation of parts of their commitments” necessary to advance the process, which includes troop withdrawals in exchange for the disarmament of Hamas and the commencement of reconstruction in the Palestinian enclave.
Mladenov highlighted seven months of negotiations with Hamas regarding disarmament, describing them as “very intense and very difficult discussions,” while praising the mediation efforts of Türkiye, Egypt, and Qatar, as well as support from the UAE and other regional nations.
He stated that the residents of Gaza continue to live in “horrific conditions” and cannot face another winter under the current situation.
Mladenable outlined three possible paths: maintaining the status quo, expanding Israeli military operations and re-occupying Gaza, or implementing the Board of Peace roadmap.
He described the third option as the “sensible” choice, stating that it requires disarmament through agreement, mutually agreed Israeli troop withdrawals, and reconstruction with international and regional support.
Mladenov warned that failure to advance the roadmap could make a two-state solution “practically impossible” to achieve. “The only way we can return in that direction is if we have a transition government, if there is disarmament, and if there is a withdrawal of troops from Gaza,” he said.
When asked whether a new Israeli government could reject the current government’s commitments following the October elections, Mladenov acknowledged that election periods often trigger “spontaneous reactions” and political manoeuvres. However, he argued that ultimately, the Israeli people wish to move away from the ongoing tragedy in Gaza.
He noted that the crisis has caused “extraordinary emotional, political, and humanitarian suffering” for Israelis—alongside the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza—and argued that a long-term perspective is required, regardless of short-term political pressures from election campaigns.
“Neither the Palestinian nor the Israeli people are going anywhere. No party will leave their homes,” he said, emphasising the need to restore political dialogue and find a way for both nations to coexist.
The Board of Peace (BoP) was established in January as part of a broader plan by US President Donald Trump for Gaza, with Trump serving as its chairman. Supported by UN Security Council Resolution 2803, the initiative is tasked with overseeing the Gaza transition, including governance, security, and reconstruction aspects.
A Palestinian technocratic body, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, has also been formed to take over responsibility for civil administration, the restoration of public services, and the rebuilding of various institutions in the territory.
The Board of Peace published a roadmap on 31 July for the implementation of the next phase of the Gaza plan, which includes the disarmament of Hamas, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops, the transfer of administration to a Palestinian technocratic committee, the deployment of international stabilisation forces, and reconstruction.
The third Hili Forum is being held in Abu Dhabi under the theme “The Gulf at a Crossroads: Conflict, Consequences, and Course Correction.” The forum is co-organised by the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research and the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy.