Kathmandu— The failure of ongoing ceasefire efforts in Gaza would represent a “point of no return” for all parties involved, warned Nickolay Mladenov, the UN’s high representative for Gaza, during a Wednesday address to the United Nations Security Council. His statement came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly rejected a 15-point peace plan proposed by the United States aimed at ending Israel's war on Gaza, which began following attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian groups in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 240 hostages. Since then, at least 73,422 Palestinians have been killed, with a further 4,290 wounded since a US-brokered ceasefire came into effect in October, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health.

Hamas Weapons Pledge

Under the US roadmap for peace, Hamas agreed on July 30th to hand over its weapons to a new Palestinian governing body, a commitment that would be overseen by an International Stabilization Force led by US Major General Jasper Jeffers. This transitional administration, dubbed the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, is intended to consist of independent Palestinian technocrats responsible for managing civil service and humanitarian relief. Mladenov told the UN Security Council that “For the first time, Hamas and the armed factions in Gaza have agreed to hand over their weapons and to transfer full governing authority – both civilian and security – to a transitional administration recognised by the United Nations.”

Netanyahu’s Opposition

Despite the agreement from Hamas, Prime Minister Netanyahu immediately opposed the framework for transferring authority. He stated earlier this month that Israel would not withdraw any of its forces until Hamas fully disarms. Mladenov emphasized that continued military activity undermines the ceasefire, stating that “every weapon carried, every tunnel still worked on and every convoy still obstructed sets the process back and hands an argument to those who want to resume war.”

Palestinian Concerns Over Israeli Annexations

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, also addressed the Security Council, raising concerns about ongoing Israeli annexations of Palestinian land. He specifically cited recent bidding tenders for the E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank, accusing the Israeli government of intentionally sabotaging the 15-point peace plan.

The future of the ceasefire remains uncertain as Israel maintains its demand for complete disarmament before any withdrawal of forces, and continued obstacles threaten to derail the fragile progress made towards a lasting resolution.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.