Board of Peace envoy Mladenov warns Gaza ceasefire risks ‘collapse’

Nicolay Mladenov, the high representative of the Board of Peace, warned on Friday that a failure by Israelis and Palestinians to adhere to the organization’s roadmap could trigger a collapse of the ceasefire in Gaza, potentially returning the region to widespread violence. The warning comes amid continued Israeli raids in the Strip and growing concerns that the current ceasefire arrangement is fragile.

Mladenov said the Board’s plan is “the only viable path forward” and that a return to war would be “devastating.” He urged both sides to stay committed to the 15‑point roadmap he first outlined on May 21, which includes a gradual Israeli withdrawal, the disarmament of Palestinian armed groups, the deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF), and the restructuring of Gaza’s police. The Board announced on July 31 that it had reached a consensus on the next phase of the ceasefire, and Hamas has approved the plan. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the proposal, denying that his government will allow international troops into Gaza.

The Board’s ISF, which will be deployed in Gaza, has already secured Morocco’s participation; Turkey has declined to join after Israel vetoed Ankara’s involvement. Mladenov said the force’s advance elements should arrive in the Strip soon. He also noted that the Board has received pledges of $7 billion for reconstruction, with Qatar, Egypt and Turkey playing key roles in advancing the agreement with Hamas. He described talks with Israel on increasing humanitarian aid as “good” and expressed hope that a Palestinian National Committee for the Administration of Gaza would soon assume its responsibilities. The proposed committee would be a technocratic, non‑factional body tasked with managing day‑to‑day civil affairs and coordinating reconstruction independent of Hamas and other political factions.

Since the ceasefire took effect in October 2025, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that Israeli fire has killed 1,303 Palestinians and wounded 4,336 more. The overall toll of Israel’s offensive, which began in October 2023, stands at 73,438 killed and 174,447 wounded.

The Board’s warning follows a series of diplomatic moves aimed at bridging the gap between Israel and the ceasefire plan. In recent weeks, Hamas’s political chief Khalil al‑Hayya held talks with Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad. A U.S. envoy, Jared Kushner, visited the region to work on narrowing the divide between Israel and the Board’s roadmap. The trip came after Netanyahu publicly rejected the plan, prompting a U.S. official to say Washington and Israel remain aligned on the “strategic goal” but that Israel has expressed “doubts” requiring further coordination.

Analysts note that the roadmap’s political viability still hinges on securing genuine Israeli buy‑in. While Hamas has stated its approval and months of mediation have taken place, Israel’s reluctance to allow the ISF and to commit to the withdrawal timetable remains a critical obstacle.

In summary, Mladenov’s remarks underscore the fragility of the ceasefire and the need for both parties to uphold the Board of Peace’s roadmap. The failure to do so could endanger the fragile security and humanitarian arrangements in Gaza, potentially leading to a renewed cycle of violence. The international community, led by the United States and the Board of Peace, continues to push for a comprehensive implementation of the plan, while Israel maintains its objections and the ceasefire remains under threat.