The international body responsible for overseeing the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza is set to request the United Nations Security Council to urge Hamas to disarm, according to a report that has been shared with The Associated Press. This report, authored by the Board of Peace, an organization established under the leadership of former U.S. President Donald Trump, outlines the challenges in maintaining the fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israel.
The report is expected to be discussed during a meeting of the Security Council on Thursday, focusing on the ongoing situation in the Middle East. It highlights that the main obstacle to the full implementation of the ceasefire remains Hamas’ refusal to accept verified decommissioning, relinquish coercive control, and allow a genuine civilian transition in Gaza.
Hamas has responded to the report by rejecting its claims, stating that it contains “fallacies.” A diplomat who is familiar with the report confirmed its authenticity but requested anonymity as it has not been officially released.
Donald Trump's 20-point ceasefire plan includes several key components. It calls for Hamas to surrender its weapons and dismantle its extensive network of tunnels. Additionally, it envisions Israeli forces withdrawing from Gaza, the establishment of a new technocratic Palestinian government, the deployment of an international security force, and the reconstruction of the war-torn region after more than two years of conflict.
The head of the Board of Peace, Nickolay Mladenov, has acknowledged that the truce has stalled since its implementation in October. He emphasized that the deadlock over disarming Hamas has hindered progress. According to the board’s report to the Security Council, “Reconstruction cannot commence where weapons have not been laid down.”
The report stresses that the critical variable for advancing the ceasefire plan is the conclusion of an agreement on the Roadmap for full implementation, which must include full decommissioning by Hamas and all armed groups in Gaza. The Palestinian militant group, which led the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has accused Israel of failing to meet its obligations under the first phase of the ceasefire. They have linked any demilitarization to Israeli troop pullbacks.
Israel’s military has expanded its control of Gaza since the truce took effect, now controlling approximately 60% of the territory. The report urges the Security Council to publicly reaffirm that the decommissioning of weapons in Gaza is essential for reconstruction, for a time-bound Israeli withdrawal, and for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.
The Security Council endorsed the Board of Peace in a resolution in November. However, Hamas has criticized the report, claiming it attempts to derail the ceasefire. They argue that the report contains fallacies that absolve the occupying government of its responsibilities for daily violations of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Hamas also points out that the report ignores Israel’s failure to uphold the majority of its commitments in the ceasefire deal, including the continued restrictions on crossings into the Palestinian territory and preventing the entry of materials needed to repair infrastructure and provide shelter for the displaced population.
The ceasefire has seen numerous violations, with near-daily breaches that have resulted in civilian casualties, families living in fear, and continued impediments to humanitarian access. Despite the ceasefire, Israel’s military still carries out airstrikes in Gaza and has pushed deeper into the territory, where it now controls more than what was granted under the ceasefire agreement.
Living conditions in Gaza are dire, with most of the territory’s 2 million people living in tent camps lacking basic services. Mladenov has stated that his office is addressing violations by both sides on a daily basis. However, he repeatedly emphasizes that the disarmament issue is a central sticking point, stating that Hamas’ obligation to give up its arsenal is “not negotiable” and that progress on other issues is being held up.
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