Netanyahu Meets Gaza Envoy As Disarmament Deal Faces Israel Hamas Deadlock

Board of Peace Gaza envoy Nikolay Mladenov met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem to advance a proposed Hamas disarmament framework, while urging Israel to halt strikes in Gaza to protect fragile ceasefire efforts. The talks come as international mediators push for a transition from armed conflict to civilian governance in the Palestinian territory.

Mladenov, a former UN Middle East envoy overseeing Gaza’s postwar transition, held “constructive and detailed” discussions with Netanyahu and senior Israeli officials, according to the Board of Peace. The group said its main objective is the complete decommissioning of weapons in Gaza and moving the territory away from rule by armed groups towards civilian administration.

The proposed roadmap includes a phased disarmament process, involving the collection of weapons, dismantling of military infrastructure, removal of rocket capabilities and measures to prevent future weapons smuggling. However, major disagreements remain over implementation, including the timing of an Israeli withdrawal and the security guarantees demanded by Israel.

Mladenov’s team has urged Netanyahu to stop military operations, arguing that continued strikes could damage diplomatic progress. Israeli attacks over the weekend reportedly killed 17 people in Gaza, while no strikes were reported on Monday.

Netanyahu has maintained that Hamas must fully surrender its military capabilities before Gaza can move into reconstruction and political transition. Israel has also demanded assurances that Hamas cannot rebuild its armed network or use tunnels and weapons systems to launch future attacks.

A key challenge is whether Hamas will accept complete disarmament. While the framework focuses on removing its military power, questions remain over whether the group would retain any political role in Gaza’s future administration.

The plan also raises questions about who will govern Gaza after the conflict. Discussions have included possibilities such as a civilian-led administration supported by international and regional actors, while Egypt, Qatar and Turkey are expected to play important mediation roles because of their links with Hamas.

The agreement is part of a wider ceasefire framework announced by US President Donald Trump, which also involves humanitarian aid, reconstruction efforts and addressing the hostage issue. Gaza health authorities say Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 73,000 people since the war began.