On August 26, 2026, Palestinians were seen walking past a warehouse damaged by an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, located in the central Gaza Strip. This placed a spotlight on the ongoing tensions despite efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement.

At the United Nations, Nikolay Mladenov, the high representative of the Board of Peace, openly criticized Israeli actions. He warned that if the U.S.-backed ceasefire plan fails, conflict remains inevitable. He emphasized the move from negotiation to implementation, noting Hamas’s willingness to disarm to achieve civilian governance in Gaza.

Despite fewer casualties post-October’s ceasefire, Israeli strikes persist, delaying demilitarization. Mladenov asked if attacking munitions depots would truly stop Hamas from rearming or strengthen its hold on Gaza, suggesting that these actions obstruct peaceful transitions.

A recent U.S. agreement with Hamas proposed disarming, aiming to end violence triggered by Hamas’s 2023 attacks in southern Israel. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded full weapon surrender from Hamas before withdrawal.

Mladenov recounted discussions with Netanyahu and Jared Kushner, highlighting Israel’s concerns and the necessary technical adjustments to the plan. Israel’s deputy U.N. ambassador, Noa Furman, stated cooperation with the U.S. but stressed a disarmed Hamas is essential for success.

U.S. ambassador Mike Waltz echoed that disarmament requires tangible actions by Hamas. Mladenov warned of the gap between the plan and reality; resuming war would erase any return to peace or reconstruction possibilities.

Mladenov described the decision at hand: a disarmed, rebuilt Gaza connected globally, or a fractured Gaza with ongoing warfare. He conveyed the Trump administration’s plan, offering a pathway to a political solution, although Netanyahu opposed recognizing a Palestinian state.