Overview
- Mladenov, who briefed reporters Wednesday in Jerusalem, said the Gaza ceasefire still holds but breaches continue and the situation is “far from perfect.”
- He said Hamas could operate as a political party only if it abandons armed struggle and agrees to disarm.
- He added that he is not seeking the end of Hamas as a political movement, yet he ruled out any place for armed wings or militias.
- He met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday and is working with Egypt as a mediator to push a disarmament deal that he says could enable an Israeli pullout from eastern Gaza.
- Talks under the U.S.-led Peace Council remain stalled as Hamas resists disarmament, and Gaza’s west–east split since last October keeps security and daily life from normalizing.