Mladenov Says Hamas Could Remain a Political Force in Gaza If It Disarms

The ceasefire brokered by the United States under the International Board of Peace aimed to pause fighting, release captives and eventually lead to Israeli withdrawal and reconstruction. Mladenov, the top diplomat overseeing the deal, has repeatedly stressed that the goal is not to erase Hamas as a movement but to see it give up its weapons. Hamas has insisted that Israel must first fulfill its side of the agreement before it considers disarming. Humanitarian groups warn that restricted aid flows are exacerbating shortages of food, medicine and clean water across the enclave. The stalemate over disarmament has stalled progress on other fronts, including reconstruction and troop withdrawal.

Mladenov stated that the objective is not to eliminate Hamas as a political force but to have it lay down its arms. Since the ceasefire began on October 10, Israeli forces have killed at least 856 Palestinians and control more than 50 percent of the Gaza Strip. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that 120 Palestinians, including eight women and 13 children, have died in Israeli attacks since the April 8 truce with Iran.

The remarks suggest a diplomatic pathway where Hamas could transition into a purely political role if it agrees to disarm, potentially easing negotiations on troop pullback and aid delivery. However, the ongoing casualty numbers and territorial control indicate that fighting has not ceased, which undermines trust between the sides. Both parties accuse each other of violating the truce, making any disarmament contingent on reciprocal steps.