The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Nikolay Mladenov said he is “fairly optimistic” about reaching an agreement on a plan related to Gaza, while stressing that progress must be accelerated and that discussions remain difficult.
We have had some very serious discussions with Hamas over the past few weeks, and they are not easy” Mladenov told Reuters during a visit to Brussels, adding that he was fairly optimistic that an arrangement that satisfies all parties, most importantly, the people of Gaza will be concluded.
The plan under discussion stems from a proposal by US President, Donald Trump, who called for the formation of a peace process framework to oversee efforts to end the Israeli war in Gaza.
The UN Security Council has recognized the Trump-led peace framework, although several major powers have not joined it.
According to the proposal, Israel and Hamas agreed in October on a framework that includes Israeli troop withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the start of reconstruction, contingent on the disarmament of Hamas.
The disarmament of Hamas remains a central sticking point in negotiations aimed at implementing the plan and consolidating the ceasefire that ended a two-year war.
Mladenov said work is ongoing on an implementation plan covering disarmament, the formation of a new administration in Gaza, and the terms of Israeli withdrawal.
He concluded: “Obviously, it will take time, but we are trying to ensure that we reach an agreement on the implementation arrangements as quickly as possible.”
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