Mladenov: without implementing the Gaza plan, a two-state solution will become virtually impossible
Nikolay Mladenov, the High Representative of the Board of Peace for Gaza, said at the Hili Forum in Abu Dhabi, UAE, that without moving to implement a comprehensive peace plan for Gaza, a two-state solution will become virtually impossible. The National reports.
According to Mladenov, there has been some progress in improving conditions for more than two million Palestinians in Gaza, but significant obstacles remain. Among them, he named restrictions that Israel imposes on the entry of construction materials and humanitarian aid.
Prospects for a settlement
Mladenov said that under the current situation, in which, by his assessment, about half of Gaza is controlled by the Israeli army and less than half by Hamas, there is no convincing path to a political settlement of the conflict. In his view, transitional governance in the enclave, the withdrawal of troops in Gaza, and the removal of weapons from circulation are necessary to return to political negotiations.
He also warned that preserving the current situation could lead to the emergence in Gaza of a new generation of people who will have grounds for radicalization and anger. Mladenov added that neither Palestinians nor Israelis are going anywhere and must find a way out of the long-running tragedy.
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Stabilization forces and aid
According to Mladenov, there has been some progress in establishing the International Stabilization Force. It is to train Palestinian police in Gaza and oversee the removal of Hamas weapons from circulation. He said that talks are continuing with two countries about their possible joining of these forces in the coming weeks.
Mladenov also confirmed that Hamas agreed in July to hand over heavy weapons. At the same time, he called Israel's position the main obstacle to advancing the plan and noted that the election period in the country complicates decision-making for domestic political reasons.
The volume of humanitarian aid entering Gaza after the ceasefire has increased, but it still does not meet the needs of the population, Mladenov said. According to him, full-scale reconstruction remains far off, but it is necessary to move forward with the early recovery of the territory.
