Board of Peace official says Gaza, West Bank escalation makes two-state solution 'impossible'

US-backed Board of Peace official Nickolay Mladenov stated on Monday that the escalating conflict in Gaza and the West Bank has made the two-state solution "impossible". Mladenov, who is responsible for implementing a ceasefire plan set for October 2025, made these remarks at the Hili Forum in Abu Dhabi.

Mladenov emphasized that the failure to follow through with the plan in Gaza and the rising violence in the West Bank are key factors preventing the two-state solution from being implemented. He highlighted that with over 50% of Gaza now controlled by the Israeli army and less than 50% under Hamas's control, there is no credible pathway forward for a political resolution to the conflict.

A roadmap signed by Hamas on July 30 proposed that weapons decommissioning would be supervised by the International Stabilisation Force, a nascent unit intended to deploy to Gaza if tensions ease. Led by US Major General Jasper Jeffers, the force aims to facilitate this process. However, the plan's success remains uncertain due to the ongoing violence.

The West Bank has also experienced an increase in violence since Israel's war on Gaza began following the Oct 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Over 500,000 Israelis reside in illegal settlements within the Palestinian territory, which is home to approximately three million Palestinians.

Mladenov noted that the only way to rebuild the region is through transitional governance, weapon decommissioning, and Gaza's withdrawal. He further commented on US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and envoy Jared Kushner's comments regarding the upcoming Israeli elections. Kushner suggested that Israeli leaders' irrational stance on Gaza is influenced by their upcoming elections.

Mladenov agreed with Kushner on the end state but expressed concern over the escalating militarization of Gaza, deeming its demilitarization a challenging task.