Peace Council High Representative Nikolay Mladenov stated that a 15-point plan to disarm the Gaza Strip is the “only way forward” and relies on verifiable steps rather than trust in the Hamas movement, following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rejection of the proposal.
Mladenov’s remarks in an interview with Israel’s Channel 12 on Sunday came as the White House downplayed Netanyahu’s comments as “election rhetoric” ahead of the Israeli elections scheduled for October 27, and amid reports that the prime minister had reversed a previously approved limited military withdrawal from southern Gaza.
Implementing the plan in full is the “only guarantee for Israel to prevent a repeat of the October 7, 2023 attack,” Mladenov said. He stressed that Israel is not expected to withdraw its forces from their current positions in the enclave until concrete and verifiable steps are taken to disarm Hamas under the roadmap, which the movement has agreed to.
“Never again will October 7 be allowed to happen as long as there is full implementation of the Peace Council plan,” Mladenov said. “The option we are putting forward today is the only way forward to ensure the attack is not repeated.”
Addressing widespread Israeli mistrust, Mladenov clarified the basis of the roadmap.
“I am not building any of this on the basis of trust, neither is anyone else, and we are well aware of the risks ahead,” he said. “We are building it on verification, and this is the fundamental premise that I would like both parties to truly trust, which is that thanks to the verification process, we actually have a chance of success.”
Crucial Mediation
The High Representative praised the mediation roles of Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, describing their contribution as “crucial” in reaching a stage where Hamas accepted the roadmap.
“My experience over the past eight months says that without Egypt and the other mediators, Turkey and Qatar, we would not have been able to reach a stage where Hamas agrees to the roadmap,” Mladenov said. “Their contribution was indeed crucial in achieving this.”
Trial Withdrawal Halted
Mladenov’s remarks came hours after Netanyahu announced his categorical rejection of the 15-point plan, amid reports by the Times of Israel that he had halted a limited withdrawal of the Israeli military from certain areas in southern Gaza that he had previously approved.
Elaborating on the reversal, Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu had personally approved a trial withdrawal of the Israeli military from three small areas near Rafah in southern Gaza, before reversing his decision within the last 24 hours.
Netanyahu told his cabinet on Sunday that Israel would not withdraw from any part of Gaza unless Hamas surrendered all its weapons, the report stated. Security sources told the channel that the military and security establishment only learned of the prime minister’s change in position through the media.
The proposed Rafah withdrawal had been discussed during consultations involving Netanyahu and Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, receiving approval from the military, the prime minister, and the United States. The discussions covered withdrawal locations, troop redeployment areas, and coordination with an anticipated “international stabilisation force.”
“The shift in the prime minister’s position occurred over the past day, and we only learned about it today through the media,” an unnamed security official told Channel 12. “In the discussions preceding today, the prime minister gave his personal approval to this plan and to the withdrawal from the points in the Rafah area.”
US Dismisses ‘Election Rhetoric’
Despite Netanyahu’s public rejection of the US-backed plan, Channel 12 reported that White House officials are unconcerned, viewing his statements as political posturing.
“Netanyahu’s statements do not bother us. We understand his political needs,” a senior US official was quoted as saying, referring to the upcoming elections. “We have no problem with that as long as he continues to implement what we ask, especially regarding restraining attacks in Gaza.”
The channel also reported that Netanyahu spoke last week with Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s envoy and son-in-law. Contrary to his public statements, Netanyahu reportedly told Kushner he is willing to give the 15-point plan a chance, although he does not believe Hamas will ultimately agree to disarm.
US officials noted that Washington is closely monitoring developments in Gaza and that Netanyahu “has so far adhered to his commitments.”
Verification and the ‘Yellow Line’
Detailing the mechanics of the plan, Mladenov explained that “no one is being asked to do anything, and Israel is the last one that will be asked to do so, before we have actually verified steps on the ground.”
“When the withdrawal of weapons is verified, withdrawn from factions and stored, then made permanently unusable, Israel begins to withdraw from Gaza,” he added.
The plan does not require the Israeli military to immediately withdraw from the “Yellow Line,” which divided the Strip under a ceasefire in October 2025. Israel has since expanded its control beyond that line to cover more than 60 per cent of Gaza’s territory.
Mladenov stated that the military is required not to push forces deeper into Gaza from the Yellow Line and to refrain from shooting at people on the other side “unless they pose a real threat to Israeli soldiers.”
He added that the Yellow Line would gradually recede as disarmament progresses. “Once disarmament in each geographic sector is completed, weapons verified, handed over, stored and made unusable, Israel must retreat gradually, step by step and in stages, ultimately reaching the border fence with Gaza.”
The roadmap “will not restrict Israel’s ability to respond militarily to imminent threats endangering its forces,” Mladenov affirmed, noting the process will include a verification mechanism and will halt entirely if commitments are not respected.
