Peace Council CEO responds to Netanyahu: 'If Gaza is disarmed – Israel will withdraw'

In an exclusive interview with Channel 12, Peace Council CEO Nikolai Mladenov responds to PM Netanyahu, who rejected the '15-point plan'. He clarifies that Israel will not be required to withdraw before implementing concrete disarmament measures, the withdrawal will be gradual and area-by-area, and if Hamas fails to meet its commitments – the process will stop. The plan includes full disarmament, transferring governance to the Council, and an international security force.

In an exclusive interview with Channel 12, Peace Council CEO Nikolai Mladenov addressed the framework for disarming the Gaza Strip and the gradual withdrawal of the IDF, shortly after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel rejects the '15-point plan'. Mladenov sought to clarify that Israel will not be required to withdraw before concrete steps are taken to disarm the Strip, and that the withdrawal will be carried out area by area – only after the territory is disarmed of weapons and tunnels. He stressed that if Hamas does not meet its commitments – the process will simply stop. Mladenov detailed three key components on which the plan is based: full disarmament of the Strip, transferring governance responsibility in Gaza to the Peace Council through the national committee, and the entry of an international security force to ensure the process progresses. He clarified that any Israeli withdrawal will be conditional on verifiable disarmament, and that weapons will be collected, stored, and rendered unusable. Mladenov also addressed Israel's concerns about the involvement of Turkey and Qatar, claiming that their contribution was 'critical' in bringing Hamas to agree to the framework. He added that the process enjoys support from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Gulf states, and Morocco. When asked if he believes Hamas will be disarmed, he emphasized that the framework does not rely on trust in the terrorist organization.