Gaza plan rejected by Netanyahu ‘only way forward’, says Board of Peace chief

Nickolay Mladenov, the Bulgarian high representative for Gaza and head of President Donald Trump's implementation board, has stated that a US-backed plan for Gaza, rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, remains the only way to prevent a recurrence of Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack. Speaking to Israel's Channel 12 television, Mladenov emphasized that the offered option is the sole path forward to avert such tragedies.

He expressed hope that ongoing negotiations would yield a positive outcome for all parties involved.

Earlier, Netanyahu informed his cabinet that he rejected the plan, which stipulates that Hamas would relinquish weapons to a nascent Palestinian governing body, and Israel would commence a withdrawal from the conflict-ridden territory. Mladenov described the current stage as a commitment between the United States, Hamas, and the Board of Peace, omitting Israel from the agreement.

He also reiterated his assurance to Netanyahu last week that Israel would withdraw only after Hamas' complete disarmament, clarifying earlier remarks suggesting a phased withdrawal.

Mladenov maintained that Israel would ultimately pull out if there is verified disarmament, including all Hamas weapons, down to Kalashnikov rifles. He clarified that Israel has demanded the destruction of all weapons, not merely their surrender.