Board of Peace envoy meets Netanyahu to advance Trump Gaza planTrump Gaza plan without Hamas
On May 13, 2026, Nickolay Mladenov, the U.S.-led Board of Peace's high representative for Gaza, met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the second time in two weeks to push forward President Trump's 20-point plan despite Hamas opposition.
Mladenov stated that Hamas need not disappear as a political movement but must disarm, criticizing armed groups for hindering Gaza's future. This development signals a potential shift toward post-war governance in Gaza, possibly reshaping Palestinian politics and Israeli-Palestinian dynamics amid ongoing conflict.
Israeli Perspective
The meeting with Netanyahu underscores Israel's readiness to implement the Trump plan, bypassing Hamas to achieve lasting security and peace. Officials view the Board's push as validation of Israel's position that armed groups like Hamas obstruct progress. Disarmament of Hamas remains a core demand for any viable political role.
Board of Peace Position
Mladenov clarified that the initiative seeks Hamas disarmament without erasing its political presence, aiming to build a stable post-war Gaza free from tunnels and weapons stockpiles. The envoy expressed sympathy for affected parties while prioritizing a future without armed dominance. Advancing the 20-point plan reflects commitment to inclusive reconstruction.
- Gaza's extensive tunnel network once spanned over 500 kilometers, enabling smuggling and attacks before major Israeli operations dismantled much of it.
- Benjamin Netanyahu has held the Israeli premiership longer than any leader since Israel's founding in 1948.
Israel-Hamas War
Israel and Hamas are in the second phase of the U.S.-backed Gaza peace plan, with the last living hostages already returned and Israel still holding a large security presence inside Gaza.[5][7][8] The main dispute now is over Hamas disarmament, the scope and pace of Israeli withdrawal, and who will govern Gaza after the fighting.
7 October
Hamas launches surprise attack on Israel, killing over 1,300 people and taking hundreds of hostages2008-2009
Israel launches major military operation in Gaza; conflict kills hundreds and displaces thousands
