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

Peace Council CEO Nickolay Mladenov addressed the roadmap rejected by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an exclusive interview with Channel 12, clarifying that no party is required to act before steps are implemented on the ground.

According to Mladenov, an IDF withdrawal will be carried out gradually, area by area, and only in accordance with proven progress in demilitarization. He emphasized that if Hamas fails to meet its obligations, the process will be halted immediately.

The Roadmap Framework

The plan, led by US President Donald Trump, requires Hamas to hand over not only its weapons but also full responsibility for governance in Gaza — including infrastructure and administration — to the Peace Council’s National Committee. The terrorist organization has agreed to an immediate cessation of all 'military activities.'

Mladenov outlined three key components of the plan:

1. Full demilitarization: Removal of all weapons, including Kalashnikovs, heavy weaponry, and the destruction of production facilities.

2. Transfer of governance to the Peace Council via the National Committee.

3. Deployment of international security forces to monitor the process.

Trust and the 'Yellow Line'

Mladenov stressed that the plan does not rely on trust in Hamas. 'We are very clear-eyed about the risks along the way,' he stated. 'If commitments are not met, we do not move to the next stage.'

Currently, the IDF is requested to remain on the 'yellow line' and not operate beyond it, except in cases of immediate threat to soldiers' lives. As demilitarization progresses, this line will be moved back toward the perimeter fence.

Tunnels and Mediators

Destroying the tunnel network at the current pace could take over a decade, though the Peace Council is exploring the use of additional machinery and contractors to accelerate the work.

Addressing concerns regarding the involvement of Turkey and Qatar, Mladenov noted that their contribution was critical in securing Hamas's agreement to the roadmap. He added that the process is supported by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and other regional partners, and that security will be maintained by international forces and Peace Council institutions, not the mediators themselves.

'If we get dragged into arguments over every detail, the only alternative is the re-arming of Hamas and the growing risk of another October 7,' Mladenov concluded.