Diplomat Warns Gaza Ceasefire Violations Threaten Transitional Governance

Mladenov says Hamas must hand over control for Palestinian committee to oversee reconstruction.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Nickolay Mladenov, the top diplomat overseeing the U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal in Gaza, warned on Friday that continued violations of the agreement pose major obstacles to the Palestinian committee expected to oversee postwar governance and reconstruction. Mladenov said the transitional committee, made up of Palestinian administrators, won't be able to do its work unless Hamas hands over institutional control.

Why it matters

The ceasefire deal is aimed at ending a more than two-year war between Israel and Hamas, the militant group that has governed Gaza since 2007. Mladenov's comments highlight the challenges in implementing the agreement and transitioning to a new governing authority in Gaza.

The details

Mladenov, who serves as high representative for Gaza for the U.S.-established Board of Peace, spoke during a panel discussion at the Munich Security Conference. He said the transitional committee has met in Egypt but has not yet entered Gaza, and won't be able to do its work unless Hamas lays down its arms and hands over control. Mladenov also called for more aid and improved security in Gaza.

  • The U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal was reached on October 10.
  • The Board of Peace is set to meet next week.

The players

Nickolay Mladenov

The top diplomat overseeing the U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal in Gaza and the high representative for Gaza for the U.S.-established Board of Peace.

Hamas

The militant group that has governed Gaza since 2007.

Palestinian Authority

The governing body that wants to govern both Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank ahead of eventual statehood.

Benjamin Netanyahu

The Israeli Prime Minister who announced Mladenov as the director-general of the Board of Peace.

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What they’re saying

“We need to make sure that what is happening now with the violations of the ceasefire stops. We're only embarrassing the committee and ultimately making it ineffective.”

— Nickolay Mladenov, High representative for Gaza for the U.S.-established Board of Peace

“The timeline is key, adding that Gaza must not be severed from the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The Palestinian Authority wants to govern both territories ahead of eventual statehood, something to which Israel is adamantly opposed.”

— Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, Palestinian Foreign Minister

What’s next

The Board of Peace is set to meet next week to discuss the implementation of the ceasefire deal and the transitional governance committee for Gaza.

The takeaway

The continued violations of the Gaza ceasefire agreement threaten the ability of the transitional Palestinian governance committee to effectively oversee reconstruction and the transition of power in the territory, highlighting the fragility of the peace process.