Board of Peace chief criticises Israeli strikes in Gaza

Board of Peace Director-General Nickolay Mladenov has criticised recent strikes in the Gaza Strip, warning they could undermine international efforts to secure the disarmament of Hamas under a US-backed peace initiative.

According to Israeli media, In a post on social media on August 2, Mladenov said the strikes had come at a critical stage of negotiations involving regional mediators and the Board of Peace.

“Two days of strikes across Gaza have killed civilians and destroyed medical supplies that people depend on. This comes after intense efforts by the Board of Peace and the mediators (Egypt, Turkiye, Qatar and the US) to bring the Palestinian factions in Gaza to agree to a Roadmap on the full implementation of President Trump's plan, to hand over civilian governance and to decomission their weapons."

He added, “Both parties carry obligations under the Comprehensive Plan and the Sharm El Sheikh deal that secured the release of all hostages."

“My team and I are working around the clock with the parties, the mediators and regional partners to de-escalate and create the space for the full implementation of the President's plan. Achieving a lasting peace is hard but achievable if everyone make their best efforts," concluded Mladenov.

The remarks came after the Israeli military carried out a series of strikes in Gaza in recent days, saying it had killed several senior Hamas members involved in the 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel and in the holding of Israeli hostages.

The operations have continued despite US President Donald Trump's announcement of what he described as a breakthrough agreement aimed at achieving the demilitarisation of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza.

Speaking on Friday, Trump said Israel supported the initiative.

“Israel is very happy about it. Israel helped us, and they’ve been very good," he said.

Asked whether Washington had received assurances that Israel would adhere to the agreement, Trump replied, “We do have an understanding with Israel."

He added, “Most people said that would be a deal that would be undoable. Will it go through its ups and downs? It’s a very complex situation over there… But it’s a great breakthrough. Nobody’s ever thought that it would be possible to disarm Hamas."

By Aghakazim Guliyev