Peace Board Envoy: Full Implementation of Gaza Plan Is the Only Guarantee Against Repeat of October 7

Nikolay Mladenov, the Gaza envoy for the US-backed Peace Board, has said that full implementation of the Hamas disarmament roadmap is the only guarantee to prevent a repeat of the 7 October 2023 attack. Speaking to Israel's Channel 12, he emphasised that the plan is not built on trust in Hamas, but rather on staged and verifiable measures. Mladenov's remarks were broadcast hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decisively rejected the 15-point plan and, according to reports, reversed his position to block a limited Israeli military withdrawal from several points in southern Gaza—a withdrawal he had previously approved. The goal of the roadmap, according to Mladenov, is to ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israeli security. Under the plan, Hamas would cede control of Gaza to a Palestinian technocratic body called the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, which would operate under the supervision of the Peace Board. Mladenov stated that Israel is not obligated to withdraw until Hamas's disarmament is concretely verified on the ground. He added that once weapons are taken from the groups, stockpiled, and ultimately rendered unusable, Israel must gradually withdraw from Gaza. The official said the current plan does not require the Israel Defense Forces to pull back from the yellow line—the line that, following the October 2025 ceasefire, roughly divided Gaza into areas under Israeli and Hamas control. He stated that Israeli forces must not deploy further forward than this line inside Gaza and must not fire on individuals unless there is a real threat to Israeli soldiers. As each geographical sector is disarmed and the stockpiling and incapacitation of weapons is verified, the yellow line must step-by-step move back towards the border fence. Mladenov also said that none of the provisions of the plan limit Israel's options to respond to imminent threats against its forces. He underscored the role of Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar in mediating negotiations and said a mechanism will be established to verify the implementation of all parties' commitments; if commitments are not met, the entire process will halt. He warned that the total destruction of Hamas's extensive tunnel network could take more than a decade, but cooperation via the Peace Board could make this process faster and more effective. Concurrently, Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu had agreed last week, in the presence of IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, to a pilot implementation of a withdrawal from three small areas near Rafah. The plan, which had been approved by the IDF, Netanyahu, and the US, involved determining withdrawal locations, redeploying forces, and coordinating with potential forces of an international stabilization force. An anonymous security official stated that the security establishment only learned of Netanyahu's change of position through the media. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office did not immediately comment on the report. Reacting to Netanyahu's public opposition, the White House said it was not concerned by the stance and viewed it as part of campaign rhetoric ahead of Israel's 27 October election. A senior US official told Channel 12 that Washington has no issue with Netanyahu's remarks provided he complies with US demands, particularly regarding curbing attacks in Gaza. According to the report, Netanyahu had told Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's envoy and son-in-law, that he did not expect Hamas to accept disarmament, but was prepared to give the 15-point plan a chance. Mohammed Dahlan, a former Fatah official and key mediator in Palestinian talks, described Netanyahu's opposition as a challenge, defiance, and deception directed at the US administration and Donald Trump's team. Dahlan stated that mediators now view Netanyahu as an obstacle to achieving security and stability. He is close to the President of the United Arab Emirates, and Jared Kushner also consulted him when drafting the post-war Gaza management plan.