Trump Gaza Ceasefire Official Criticizes Israeli Strikes, Warns of Next War

U.S. Official Criticizes Israel’s Gaza Attacks as Trump Ceasefire Plan Faces Crossroads

The Roadmap and the Reality Gap

Mladenov, the Board of Peace high representative, emphasized that Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan—designed to transition Gaza from military to civilian governance—has shifted from negotiations to “engineering.” While Hamas has agreed to disarm and cede control, Israel’s ongoing airstrikes since October 2023 have kept the conflict in limbo, according to Mladenov. “After three years of war, will another strike on a munitions depot stop Hamas from rearming? It will not,” he said, highlighting the disconnect between the roadmap and ground realities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that his forces won’t withdraw from their current lines in Gaza until Hamas has handed over all its weapons. Mladenov noted that a recent meeting with Netanyahu and Trump’s son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner narrowed technical concerns but left core disagreements unresolved.

Local Impact: Gaza’s Infrastructure and Civic Struggles

The U.S. deal with Hamas to disarm, seen as a potential breakthrough to end the war, which was sparked by the militant group’s deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attacks in southern Israel, now faces renewed scrutiny. Israeli Deputy UN Ambassador Noa Furman reiterated that the plan’s success hinges on Hamas’ disarmament, while U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz insisted that “Hamas’ disarmament will be judged on its actions.”

Expert Voices: A Divided Vision for the Region

Mladenov said that the Trump plan includes a “credible pathway to a political horizon” and a two-state solution to the decades-old conflict, though Netanyahu vehemently opposes a Palestinian state.

Global Implications and the Path Forward

The Human Toll and the Call for Action

Mladenov’s final warning echoed through the Security Council: “A Gaza disarmed, rebuilt, and reconnected to the world.”