Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace envoy overseeing the Gaza ceasefire, said Hamas must disarm for the ceasefire to move to its second phase, while still being allowed to remain a political movement. He made the remarks at a news conference in Jerusalem on May 13, 2026, seven months after the ceasefire took effect on October 10, 2025 [1, 2].
The ceasefire was brokered by the US-led Board of Peace initiative, established in January 2026 under former President Donald Trump’s leadership to resolve conflict in Gaza [1, 2]. The first phase of the ceasefire focused on a prisoner exchange involving captives taken in southern Israel in October 2023 [1].
Mladenov said the transition to the ceasefire’s second phase requires Hamas to hand over its weapons, Israeli forces to withdraw, and reconstruction efforts in Gaza to begin [1]. "We are not asking Hamas to disappear as a political movement," he said, but emphasized, "It is not what the Palestinians were promised and it is not what they deserve. And it is not giving Israel the security to move forward, as the Israeli people also want" [1, 2].
Seven months after the ceasefire’s initiation, humanitarian groups report that Israel has not permitted the promised aid into Gaza, while Hamas continues to retain rockets and explosives, refusing to disarm [1]. Hamas controls over 50% of Gaza territory, complicating enforcement efforts [1].
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem responded by saying the group has reacted positively to mediator proposals but blamed Israel for violating the ceasefire. "Pressure must be exerted on the occupation to implement what was stated in the first phase and to enter into discussions regarding the second phase," he said [1].
Since the ceasefire began, Israeli attacks and gunfire have killed 856 Palestinians and injured 2,463, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry [2]. The conflict that started in October 2023 has killed over 72,000 Palestinians, injured more than 172,000, and devastated about 90% of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure [2].
The ceasefire talks and reconstruction plans are ongoing, with the need for Hamas disarmament central to progress. The Board of Peace continues efforts to negotiate implementation steps and move the process forward [1, 2].
