Growing concerns have emerged in Gaza over the conduct of senior international envoy Nikolay Mladenov, with Palestinian sources accusing him of intensifying pressure on resistance factions in ways that appear closely aligned with Israeli political and military objectives. The allegations come amid mounting fears of a wider escalation in Israel’s genocidal war on the Strip and deepening frustration over stalled ceasefire arrangements.

Sources familiar with the discussions said the envoy had sought to push what was described as a “new roadmap” for Gaza, linking humanitarian assistance and reconstruction measures to political and security concessions demanded by Israel. Palestinian officials reportedly view the proposals as an attempt to impose conditions under the threat of renewed military action, while presenting them publicly as efforts to stabilise the situation and preserve the ceasefire.

According to the reports, the proposed framework includes a series of measures blending financial, political and security arrangements, raising suspicion among Palestinian groups over the broader intentions behind the initiative. Critics argue that the approach effectively places Gaza’s civilian population under further pressure at a time when the territory continues to endure widespread destruction, displacement and severe shortages caused by the ongoing genocidal war.

The controversy has also been fuelled by claims regarding humanitarian aid deliveries. Mladenov was accused of significantly overstating the volume of assistance entering Gaza after stating last month that around 600 aid lorries were crossing into the territory each day. Gaza’s Government Media Office later rejected those figures, insisting that only 207 trucks had entered on the day in question and warning against what it described as misleading representations of the humanitarian situation.

Mladenov, a Bulgarian diplomat who previously served as the UN’s special coordinator for the Middle East peace process between 2015 and 2020, has long faced criticism from Palestinian and Arab circles, which have accused him of exceeding the boundaries of his diplomatic mandate and echoing Israeli policy priorities. Meanwhile, Israeli forces continue attacks across Gaza despite the ceasefire agreement that came into force last October, with air strikes, shootings, demolitions and restrictions on aid deliveries continuing to affect civilians across the enclave.