Bulgarian politician and diplomat, former UN envoy to the Middle East
Gaza mediators report serious negotiations on a disarmament plan involving Hamas and armed groups, with a focus on weapons decommissioning, police reform, and phased Israeli troop withdrawal. The proposal, supported by the US, Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, is awaiting Hamas's response amid regional tensions.
Hamas's reaction to a US-backed disarmament proposal for Gaza is pending, with the group expressing reservations. The plan involves phased weapons decommissioning in exchange for Israeli troop withdrawals and reconstruction aid, but Hamas demands guarantees against renewed attacks. The region's stability hinges on this response.
A recent Israeli airstrike on Jaffa Street in Gaza City killed four people and wounded others, raising tensions in a fragile ceasefire. Hamas and Israel blame each other for violations. Hamas demands guarantees of Israeli troop withdrawal before discussing disarmament, complicating efforts to implement a US-backed peace plan.
The ceasefire between Israeli forces and Hamas-led militants has been maintained, but most of the work needed for a lasting peace remains to be done. Gaza residents face limited aid and deteriorating conditions, while diplomatic efforts focus on disarming Hamas and stabilizing the region amid broader conflicts involving Iran and Lebanon.
On April 25–26, 2026, municipal elections have been held across 183 West Bank councils and in Gaza's Deir al-Balah. Turnout has reached about 56% in the West Bank but only 23% in Deir al-Balah. The vote has been described as a symbolic pilot to politically link Gaza and the West Bank while displacement, outdated registries and political disillusionment have limited participation.
The Israeli army has expanded its area of control in Gaza to 64% of the enclave and replaces the Yellow Line with an Orange Line, according to Israeli media. The move, reportedly approved by the US-led Board of Peace, broadens occupancy by 34 square kilometres and follows claims of ceasefire violations by Hamas. Negotiations around disarmament and postwar governance continue amid ongoing clashes and demolitions.
Nickolay Mladenov has told the UN Security Council that implementation of the US-led Board of Peace Gaza roadmap has stalled because Hamas has refused to disarm and Israel is maintaining control of roughly 60% of Gaza. Daily strikes and constrained aid are persisting, reconstruction finance is drying up, and diplomacy is not completing the transition to the second phase.
Since January, the US‑led Board of Peace for Gaza has received pledges totalling billions but has had virtually no funds transferred into its World Bank‑administered account; donors are instead routing money into a JPMorgan account with limited transparency, and only a small share of pledged aid has reached Gaza as fighting and political disputes continue. (28 May 2026)
The Board of Peace has warned that the Gaza ceasefire’s second phase hinges on Hamas’s disarmament and a civilian transition, with Israel’s obligations and humanitarian access under scrutiny. Mladenov has urged action to prevent a permanently divided Gaza, while Hamas rebuffs accusations and calls for entry of a technocratic administration.
Mediators report that Israel is resisting full Gaza disarmament while Hamas pushes for a Palestinian-led, phased approach. Despite a 2025 ceasefire, ongoing violence and humanitarian constraints persist as regional talks resume ahead of Israel’s elections.