Board of Peace focus on Hamas risks return to war in Gaza, critics say

The Board of Peace's top diplomat, Nickolay Mladenov, informed the UN Security Council that Hamas is the primary obstacle to a stalled Gaza ceasefire, citing its refusal to disarm and allow a civilian transition. Critics, however, argue that the US-backed board's one-sided approach, which places sole blame on Hamas, risks renewed conflict. They contend that Israel has also violated the ceasefire by conducting airstrikes, expanding control, and failing to meet humanitarian aid obligations. Analysts suggest this unbalanced report could legitimize further Israeli military action. Hamas has rejected Mladenov's accusations, stating the report favors Israel's position.

Nickolay Mladenov, the UN's high representative for Gaza, warned the UN Security Council that the current situation in Gaza risks becoming a "permanent" divide. He presented a roadmap for a permanent ceasefire, urging the Security Council to pressure Hamas to disarm and Israel to fulfill its October ceasefire obligations. Mladenov emphasized that progress cannot depend solely on Palestinian actions, highlighting ongoing killings and Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid. The article notes that a ceasefire in October 2025 followed Israel's war launched after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, but Israel maintains a strict security regime, and violence has continued.

China's UN Ambassador, Fu Cong, has urged a reconsideration of the UN Security Council's decision to end the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. Speaking as China assumed the council's presidency, Fu expressed deep concern over escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, noting the absence of a true ceasefire. He stated that the overwhelming majority of the Security Council believes now is not the time to withdraw UNIFIL, which was established to oversee Israeli troop withdrawal and later expanded to maintain a buffer zone. China awaits a UN secretariat report in June before finalizing its position, while also calling for Israel to cease its bombardment of Lebanon. The UNIFIL mission's mandate is set to conclude by December 2026.