Qassem warned that such a move would “effectively plunge Gaza into a state of chaos and lawlessness, a situation that the criminal occupation seeks to create and is working to entrench.”
The Palestinian resistance group renewed its call for the immediate empowerment of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, saying the body should be allowed to enter the strip, assume full responsibilities, and receive the resources needed to carry out its work.
Qassem said Israel continues its daily violations in the Gaza Strip despite Hamas’ “full commitment” to implementing the ceasefire agreement. He stated that Mladenov should have clearly identified the party violating the ceasefire and restricting the entry of aid into Gaza, noting that Israeli authorities were responsible for that.
Hamas' remarks came amid renewed questions over Gaza’s future administration, which the group affirmed it is ready to transfer to a technocratic Palestinian body, as Mladenov continues to focus on disarmament.
Hamas leader Bassem Naim also sharply criticized Mladenov, saying in a post on X that he was “not worthy of being responsible for a single day in managing the transitional administration of the Palestinian people.” “If the task is too big for you, then step down,” he added.
Speaking to journalists after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, Mladenov urged Hamas to relinquish power over the parts of the Gaza Strip it controls and lay down its weapons.
"We are asking the political leadership of those who govern Gaza now to step aside. This is required by the Security Council resolution in the 20-point plan," he said, referring to the US president's Gaza peace plan.
"We are not asking Hamas to disappear as a political movement. A political party that disavows armed activity can compete in national Palestinian elections," he said.
"What is not negotiable, however, is that armed factions or militias... can exist alongside a transitional Palestinian authority," he continued.
"For those who refuse disarmament, the plan offers the option of safe passage to third countries," he added.
Mladenov said the ceasefire plan was off to a rocky start and acknowledged that conditions remain dire and miserable for more than 2 million people in Gaza.
However, he accused both sides of violating the ceasefire, a claim Hamas denies, while overlooking Israel’s continued killing of Palestinians and its control of more than half of Gaza, along with the border crossings.
Since the so-called ceasefire began, Israel has killed at least 854 Palestinians in Gaza and injured 2,453 others, while continuing attacks, forced displacement orders, arrests, and restrictions on humanitarian aid.
Overall, the death toll from Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza has risen to 72,737, with 172,539 others wounded, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Mladenov criticized Hamas, the Palestinian movement that won the 2006 legislative elections, for consolidating power in parts of Gaza under its control, while not offering comparable criticism of Israel’s continued occupation of more than half of the strip or its backing of armed militias against the group.
His remarks came as the Board of Peace faces scrutiny, with efforts to advance the phased ceasefire stalled.
The issue has gained renewed urgency as Israel has stepped up its attacks in Gaza in recent days, raising fears among Palestinians that more airstrikes and a return to full-scale war may be imminent.
The truce envisioned Hamas handing over its weapons, Israeli forces withdrawing, and the reconstruction of large parts of the coastal enclave after more than two years of Israel’s bombardment.
However, Israel has not fully withdrawn from Gaza and has continued to violate the ceasefire through its deadly attacks on Palestinians and the maintenance of its blockade over the strip, leaving reconstruction efforts stalled and much of the territory under occupation.
Trump’s 20-point plan calls for dismantling Hamas’ military capabilities, tunnels, and weapons production facilities in Gaza, and placing its weapons “permanently beyond use.”
Israel and the US say this means Hamas must surrender all weapons, while Hamas distinguishes between “heavy” weapons such as rockets and “light” weapons such as rifles and pistols, according to officials and mediators speaking on condition of anonymity.
Hamas argues that full disarmament would leave Palestinians defenceless under continued Israeli control and attacks and would strip them of their right to resist foreign occupation.
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