Israeli source: Peace Council chief Mladenov demanded Netanyahu stop strikes in Gaza

An Israeli source told Walla that Peace Council chief Nikolay Mladenov demanded Prime Minister Netanyahu halt strikes in Gaza to allow a 14-day ceasefire. Israel does not believe Hamas will disarm and will condition withdrawal on threat removal. The IDF continues targeted killings.

An Israeli source familiar with the details told Walla that Peace Council chief Nikolay Mladenov met today (Monday) with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and demanded he stop the strikes in the Gaza Strip, to allow a 14-day ceasefire that would lead to the start of implementing the agreement with Hamas. According to the same source, Israel does not believe that Hamas's disarmament can be carried out, and insists that only after the threat is removed will the IDF withdraw. Just yesterday, Mladenov sharply criticized the strikes, saying they cost civilian lives and destroyed vital medical equipment, following efforts by the Peace Council and the mediators – Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, and the US – to get the Palestinian factions to agree to a roadmap for implementing the Trump plan, which includes transferring powers and disarmament. While the IDF continues to eliminate terrorists, the White House and the Peace Council are trying to convince that the vision is still possible. The IDF announced targeted killings of terrorists from Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the 'Army of Islam', including field commanders and Nukhba terrorists who participated in the October 7 massacre. Israel sees these operations as removing an immediate threat and sees no contradiction between the political process and military activity.