Mladenov Says Israeli Strikes Are Delaying Gaza Demilitarization

UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov told the Security Council that Israeli strikes after Hamas accepted a 15-point Gaza roadmap are delaying demilitarization and the transfer to a transitional administration. He said Hamas and other factions agreed on July 30 to hand over every category of weapon for internationally supervised decommissioning, followed by reciprocal phases of Israeli withdrawal. Mladenov also said Hamas has not fully met its commitment to cease military activity, citing carried weapons, tunnel work and blocked convoys. He said recent talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu narrowed technical gaps and reaffirmed the goal of a Gaza that cannot threaten Israel.