Board of Peace Envoy Mladenov Briefs UN Security Council; Presses Hamas to Disarm Without Delay

Board of Peace High Representative Nickolay Mladenov addressed the UN Security Council's monthly session on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on March 24. Mladenov revealed the core principles of the disarmament proposal submitted to Hamas: sequencing (heaviest weapons first, tunnels neutralized), verification (third-party monitoring of compliance), and reintegration (pathways for fighters to re-enter civilian life via amnesty and employment programs). He warned that failure would result in a divided Gaza, with northern territories under Hamas control, leading to despair and radicalization with no path to Palestinian statehood. US Ambassador Mike Waltz called on Security Council members to pressure Hamas to 'immediately disarm,' stating full demilitarization is a prerequisite for Gaza's recovery. Five countries — Albania, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Morocco — have pledged troops to the proposed International Stabilization Force.