Board of Peace focus on Hamas risks return to war in Gaza, critics say
US-backed board has put sole blame for stalled ceasefire on militant group despite Israel not fulfilling its obligations, analysts say
TL;DR
- Critics accuse the US-backed Board of Peace and its representative, Nickolay Mladenov, of unfairly blaming Hamas for the stalled Gaza ceasefire.
- Mladenov's report to the UN Security Council identified Hamas as the "principal obstacle," a claim rejected by Hamas.
- Critics point to Israeli violations, including continued airstrikes, expansion of control, and failure to allow sufficient humanitarian aid.
- Analysts believe Mladenov's one-sided report could provide justification for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resume hostilities.
- Hamas has indicated willingness to disarm and transfer power, but insists on reciprocal Israeli actions, which critics say have not been fulfilled.
- Israel has reportedly blocked the entry of a Palestinian technocratic committee (NCAG) into Gaza, hindering the transfer of power.
- Despite the stalemate, officials within the NCAG remain in Cairo, seeing the Board of Peace as the only potential avenue to stop the killing in Gaza.