Trump says relationship is good even as Netanyahu rejects Gaza peace plan

Nikolay Mladenov, the head of US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, has stated that implementing the Gaza peace plan is crucial for ending the cycle of violence in the Middle East, despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rejection of the organization’s roadmap. Mladenov, who served as the UN special envoy for the Middle East, spoke to Israeli broadcaster N12 on Sunday.

He emphasized that both Israelis and Palestinians share a common goal: to break free from the "horrible cycle of violence" that has resulted in numerous casualties and destruction for both sides. The peace plan aims to prevent the Gaza Strip from posing a threat to Israel again and to prevent a repeat of the October 7, 2023, massacre.

Mladenov reiterated that the primary precondition for Israel withdrawing its troops is the disarmament of armed factions in Gaza, including Hamas, which must hand over their weapons. Currently, Israel is only being asked to cease advancing beyond the "yellow line." Israeli forces are also permitted to fire only in instances of a genuine threat.

Mladenov emphasized that the gradual and internationally verified handover of all weapons by Hamas would be a prerequisite for Israel’s progressive withdrawal from the territory, ultimately to the Gaza border fence. If commitments are not met, the process would cease. The Gaza roadmap is not based on trust, but rather on verification and step-by-step implementation.