Board of Peace rips Hamas for refusing to disarm, demands UN intervene

The Board of Peace, led on the Gaza file by former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov, was established under Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan.

By World Israel News Staff

The international body overseeing President Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan is preparing to ask the United Nations Security Council to intensify pressure on Hamas to give up its weapons, warning that reconstruction and an Israeli withdrawal are unlikely to move forward while the group remains armed and in control of parts of the enclave.

In a report to the Security Council, the Board of Peace says the ceasefire framework has reached a political deadlock months after taking effect, with Hamas’ refusal to accept verified disarmament now at the center of the impasse.

The report says “the principal obstacle to full implementation” remains Hamas’ refusal to accept “verified decommissioning,” relinquish coercive control and allow a civilian transition in Gaza.

The report, expected to be discussed by the Security Council on Thursday, urges members to state clearly that disarming Hamas and other armed groups is not only part of the ceasefire deal but also a prerequisite for reconstruction, a time-bound Israeli pullback and a political path toward Palestinian self-determination and statehood.

“Reconstruction cannot commence where weapons have not been laid down,” the report says.

“The critical variable — the single factor that unlocks every other element of the plan — is the conclusion of an agreement on the Roadmap for the full implementation of the plan that includes full decommissioning by Hamas and all armed groups in Gaza.”

The Board of Peace, led on the Gaza file by former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov, was established under Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan.

The plan calls for Hamas to disarm, Gaza to be placed under a new technocratic civilian administration, an international stabilization force to deploy and Israel to withdraw in stages.

The UN Security Council endorsed the board in November.

Israel Hayom, citing the same report, said humanitarian supplies entering Gaza have risen by 70%, including food, water, health care and basic infrastructure aid.

The report also cited extensive destruction in the Strip, including damage or destruction to 85% of buildings and infrastructure, leaving one million residents without permanent housing.

In addition, an estimated 350 kilometers of terrorist tunnels must be demolished.

The Board of Peace also warned of a funding problem, saying the gap between pledged money and actual disbursements “must be closed with urgency.” The board said funds that have been promised but not delivered are the difference between a plan that exists “on paper” and one that produces results for Gazans.

Hamas rejected the report, saying it contained “fallacies” and ignored what it described as Israel’s violations of the ceasefire. The group accused Israel of keeping crossings restricted, blocking the entry of materials needed to repair infrastructure and shelter displaced civilians, and continuing military action in Gaza.

“The report’s adoption of the occupation’s conditions regarding disarmament is a dubious attempt to muddy the waters and derail the ceasefire agreement,” Hamas said.

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon said the report confirmed Israel’s long-standing claim that Hamas is obstructing Gaza’s recovery.

“This report exposes what has long been clear to everyone: Hamas has lied and continues to lie every step of the way,” Danon said. “Even the body established to advance implementation of the agreement states unequivocally that the central obstacle to Gaza’s reconstruction is Hamas’ refusal to disarm and give up its rule of terror.”

Mladenov has tried to frame the demand as one aimed at ending Hamas’ armed role rather than erasing it as a political movement. “We are not asking Hamas to disappear as a political movement,” he said last week. “A political party that disavows armed activity can compete in national Palestinian elections.”

Board of Peacegaza stripHamasUnited Nations