Board of Peace High Representative Nickolay Mladenov issued a rare statement in Hebrew on Wednesday rejecting claims of a financial agreement between the Board of Peace and Hamas, saying that no such proposal was discussed or negotiated and that it will not be considered in the future.
“Claims regarding a financial agreement between the Board of Peace and Hamas are false," Mladenov stated. “Such a proposal was not discussed, was not negotiated, was not considered, and will not be on the table in the future."
Mladenov also said that a mechanism for monitoring violations had begun operating in recent days.
“Any violation that meets the criteria will be addressed," he said.
Addressing the role of Hamas in the future of Gaza, Mladenov said the Board of Peace was established as part of President Donald Trump's plan for Gaza and in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2803.
“The two documents are public and clear: Hamas will have no role in the governance of Gaza and will have no access to funds," he said.
“Board of Peace funds are not transferred through Hamas," Mladenov added. “Every contract undergoes checks and approvals, every piece of work is verified before payment, and all accounts are open to full audit by the donor governments."
Mladenov said the international stabilization force is intended to support the disarmament process and the establishment of civilian governance in which Hamas has no role.
“This was our position from the outset, and it has not changed," he stated.
He said the roadmap provides a framework for an arrangement between the Board of Peace and Hamas while discussions with Israel continue.
Mladenov reaffirmed that “Israel is not required to rely on trust or take irreversible steps before verified steps are taken on the ground."
He added that the goal remains “the complete dismantling of weapons and ensuring that Gaza will never again pose the kind of threat that Israel experienced on October 7."
Mladenov described two alternatives to the Board of Peace proposal: Hamas remaining in power and rebuilding its military capabilities, or Israel returning to control the entire population of Gaza “at an extremely heavy human, military and economic cost."
“The Board of Peace offers a third option: full disarmament, civilian governance, an international security presence under American command, and monitoring and verification mechanisms," he said.
“There are more than enough real challenges in this effort, and there is no need to invent additional ones," Mladenov concluded.