Gaza Ceasefire on the Brink of Collapse, Warns Peace Envoy Nikolay Mladenov

Nickolay Mladenov, the High Representative for the Board of Peace, has warned in an interview with Al Jazeera that the failure of both sides to adhere to the roadmap for peace threatens a collapse of the ceasefire in Gaza. Mladenov stated that there is no better alternative to the current plan, adding that a return to war would be devastating.

His warning was directed at both the Palestinian and Israeli sides as the besieged Strip continues to experience ongoing Israeli raids and attacks. Mladenov emphasized that retreating from the roadmap's commitments will negatively impact security and humanitarian arrangements in Palestine, potentially plunging the region back into a destructive spiral of violence.

The Board of Peace has determined the mechanism and locations for deploying the International Stabilization Force (ISF) in the Gaza Strip, Mladenov noted. He stated that Morocco agreed to take part, whereas Turkiye will not participate following an Israeli veto against Ankara's involvement. Advance elements of the force are expected to arrive in the Gaza Strip soon.

Regarding reconstruction, Mladenov revealed that the Board has received pledges totaling $7bn, while acknowledging the important roles played by Qatar, Egypt, and Turkiye in advancing the agreement with Hamas. He described talks with Israel regarding increased humanitarian aid as good and expressed hope that a Palestinian national committee would soon assume responsibilities in the Gaza Strip.

The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza is a proposed technocratic and non-factional authority intended to manage day-to-day civil affairs, public services, and local reconstruction independently of Hamas and other political factions.

Mladenov originally proposed the 15-point roadmap on May 21, addressing reconstruction, the disarmament of Palestinian armed groups, a gradual Israeli withdrawal, the mandate of the ISF, and the restructuring of Gaza's police. On July 31, the Board of Peace announced an agreement on the roadmap's next phase, which Hamas approved while calling for Israel's compliance. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu subsequently rejected the plan, denying that his government agreed to international troops in Gaza, leaving the roadmap contested despite US and Board of Peace backing.

On the ground, ceasefire violations persist. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, 1,303 Palestinians have been killed and 4,336 wounded by Israeli fire since the October 2025 ceasefire began. The ministry states the overall toll from Israel's war on Gaza since October 2023 has reached 73,438 killed and 174,447 wounded.

Diplomatic efforts continue amidst uncertainty, following talks between Hamas political chief Khalil al-Hayya and Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad, as well as a regional visit by US envoy Jared Kushner. Analysts indicate that the roadmap's viability still depends on securing genuine Israeli buy-in despite months of mediation.