Mladenov Announces 'National Committee' Ready to Govern Gaza, Calls for Current Leadership to Step Down

The Executive Director of the Gaza Peace Council, Nikolay Mladenov, confirmed that the National Committee tasked with governing the Strip has completed all its technical and administrative preparations to take over. Mladenov explained in a press conference held in occupied Jerusalem that this committee is now ready to immediately carry out its duties once the appropriate field conditions are met.

The international official issued an explicit call for the current political leadership in the Gaza Strip to step aside, to make way for the formation of an independent and non-political 'technocrat' administration. This step comes within the framework of the twenty-point plan proposed by US President Donald Trump as a way to end the ongoing conflict in the Strip.

Mladenov pointed to a proposed roadmap consisting of 15 points, primarily based on the principle of 'reciprocity' and mutual verification between parties to compensate for the lack of trust. This roadmap links every procedural step from one party to a corresponding step from the other party to ensure seriousness in implementation.

The proposed vision includes a controversial program aimed at the 'voluntary purchase of weapons' from factions, with a conditional amnesty offered to anyone who agrees to surrender their weapons to the new authorities. The plan also grants a 'safe passage' option for political and military leaders who wish to leave the Strip and go to third countries.

Despite acknowledging the resilience of the ceasefire agreement and the achievement of a degree of stability that contributed to the return of detainees, Mladenov described the current situation as 'far from ideal.' He warned against the continuation of field violations that lead to civilian casualties, emphasizing the need to move to a permanent political solution phase.

The Executive Director of the Peace Council stressed that the ultimate goal of these moves is to provide a 'political horizon' for Palestinians that guarantees their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state. The plan also aims to reunite the Gaza Strip and the West Bank under the umbrella of a renewed Palestinian Authority capable of fulfilling its obligations.

Regarding the economic aspect, Mladenov revealed a broad international commitment to provide funding totaling 17 billion dollars over the next decade for the reconstruction of what was destroyed by the war. He expected these investments to create tens of thousands of job opportunities for Palestinians during the first year of the plan's implementation.

The future vision also includes the full and regular reopening of the Rafah border crossing to facilitate the movement of individuals and goods without obstacles. The National Committee also seeks to end crises related to 'dual-use' materials such as cement, by establishing a strict security and technical governance system under international and local supervision.

Regarding the future of Hamas, Mladenov clarified that the Council does not demand the movement to disappear from the political scene, but rather it can engage in the electoral process in the future. He stipulated that the movement must abandon armed action, emphasizing that the existence of military arsenals parallel to the official state authority cannot be accepted.

For its part, Hamas responded to these statements by affirming its positive engagement with mediators' proposals to reach fair understandings. However, the movement demanded Mladenov to clearly and explicitly name the parties that obstruct agreements and restrict the access of humanitarian aid to the residents of the Strip.

The movement insisted that starting discussions on the second phase of the agreement first requires obliging the occupation to implement the provisions of the first phase and fully open the crossings. Hamas considered that adherence to what was previously agreed upon is the only and necessary gateway to any future political or administrative solutions in Gaza.

In conclusion of his statements, Mladenov pointed out that all proposed documents and plans are not 'sacred texts' but rather paths subject to amendment and discussion. He confirmed that the current roadmap has already undergone revisions based on meetings with a Hamas delegation in Cairo to ensure that all factional concerns and fears are addressed.

The goal is not just to improve daily conditions, but to give Palestinians in Gaza a real political horizon that leads to self-determination and statehood.