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Ex-UN envoy Mladenov takes charge of Gaza's shift from Hamas rule

From UN mediator to Gaza's reformer—Mladenov faces his toughest test yet. Can diplomacy dismantle Hamas' grip on power?

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2 min read
The image shows a poster of a map of Israel with the words "Vision for Peace Conceptual Map"...
The image shows a poster of a map of Israel with the words "Vision for Peace Conceptual Map" written across the top. The map is filled with various shades of blue, green, and yellow, representing the different regions of the country. The text is written in a bold, black font, emphasizing the importance of the message.

Ex-UN envoy Mladenov takes charge of Gaza's shift from Hamas rule

Nickolay Mladenov, the former UN envoy to the Middle East, has taken on a new role leading a Palestinian technocratic committee in Gaza. His task is to transition the territory away from nearly two decades of Hamas control. The move follows years of behind-the-scenes diplomacy, where he helped ease tensions between Israel and Hamas.

Mladenov first arrived in Jerusalem over a decade ago, unsure of the impact his position would have. Between 2017 and 2021, as UN Special Envoy for the Middle East, he shuttled between Israeli officials, the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas. His monthly reports to the UN Security Council kept all sides informed, earning him a reputation for transparency and fairness.

Despite his diplomatic successes, some Palestinians criticised him for leaning too closely toward Israeli positions. Others questioned his ties to the United Arab Emirates and his support for the Abraham Accords. Yet, he remained a trusted figure, known for his constructive and balanced approach. After leaving the UN, Mladenov joined a high-level peace council under former US President Donald Trump. The group included representatives from Israel, Turkey, Qatar, and others, focusing on stabilising Gaza, disarming Hamas, and negotiating Israeli troop withdrawals. Now, as director of the technocratic committee, he faces a tougher challenge: shifting Gaza's governance away from Hamas. Hamas has publicly welcomed the committee's formation, but scepticism remains. A former senior Israeli security official doubts Mladenov's ability to enforce real change on the group. Hamas has yet to disarm, blocking the deployment of an international security force. Meanwhile, Israel's plans for further withdrawal from Gaza stay unclear.

Mladenov's new role marks a critical phase in Gaza's political future. His past successes in mediation do not ensure smooth progress this time. The committee's work will depend on Hamas's cooperation, Israel's actions, and the reactions of Palestinians who have long distrusted his approach.

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