Hamas agrees to surrender weapons in historic first, Board of Peace says

Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace's high representative for Gaza, told the UN Security Council on Wednesday that Hamas and other armed factions have agreed for the first time to surrender their weapons and transfer full governing authority to a UN-recognized transitional administration — a development he called "a historic breakthrough" even as he warned that implementation has stalled.tribune+1

"For the first time, Hamas and the armed factions in Gaza have agreed to hand over their weapons and to transfer full governing authority — civilian and security — to a transitional administration recognized by the United Nations," Mladenov said during the briefing.jpost+1

The agreement stems from a 15-point Board of Peace roadmap unveiled in late July that calls for the removal of "every category of weapon in Gaza," including heavy weapons, production facilities, tunnels, and personal firearms. Under the plan, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza would become the sole body authorized to control weapons, with Israeli withdrawal proceeding in phases tied to verified disarmament.arabnews+1

Progress Stalled

Despite Hamas's July 30 acceptance of the roadmap, a required 14-day implementation planning period has yet to begin. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly rejected the proposal, insisting Hamas must be fully disarmed before any Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. An August 17 meeting in Jerusalem between Netanyahu, Mladenov, and US envoy Jared Kushner failed to persuade the Israeli leader to limit strikes in Gaza to imminent threats.timesofisrael+1

Mladenov criticized both sides. He called Israel's policy on shelter materials "not acceptable" with winter approaching and questioned whether continued strikes would achieve disarmament. He also faulted Hamas for failing to cease all military activities as required.arabnews+1

"Gaza does not have another catastrophe left in it," Mladenov warned. "If the ceasefire collapses and the Strip spirals into another full escalation, there will be no roadmap to return to."arabnews

International Stabilization Force

US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz told the Council that troops from partner countries were "scheduled to arrive to keep the peace" in Gaza, with Uganda, Morocco, and Kazakhstan offering thousands of troops to the International Stabilization Force. Waltz acknowledged deployment was not moving as quickly as Washington wanted.international.astroawani

Israel's deputy UN ambassador, Noa Furman, reiterated that "disarmament must come first." The political dynamics are further complicated by Israel's October 27 Knesset election, which limits Netanyahu's flexibility on concessions.tribune+2