Addressing the United Nations Security Council Wednesday, Nickolay Mladenov took both Israel and Hamas to task for the impasse over the peace plan.

The high representative for Gaza and director-general of the Board of Peace told the assembly that Israel’s rejection of the 15-point plan, which would see a phased withdrawal of the IDF from sections of Gaza as it demilitarizes, its continual airstrikes in Gaza, and its slow-walking of tent supplies to the Strip are impeding the process of moving toward peace and security.

He also blamed Hamas for its repeated violations of the ceasefire, rebuilding tunnels, and obstructing convoys, arguing that ordinary Gazan civilians are the ones who bear the brunt of the consequences of these actions.

Regarding Israeli airstrikes, Mladenov argued, “Will another strike on a munitions depot stop Hamas from rearming or tightening its grip on Gaza? It will not.”

He said that Hamas agreed to surrender its weapons and its civil and security authority over the Strip, but an Arab diplomat told The Times of Israel that the appearance of uniformed and armed Hamas gunmen increases after Israeli airstrikes.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flatly rejected a phased withdrawal, saying that Israel would withdraw only after the complete disarmament of Hamas. Mladenov reiterated that the Israeli premier was not being asked to accept a phased withdrawal but to reaffirm his earlier commitment to the 20-point Gaza peace plan, accusing Israel of failing to keep its commitments to halt military operations and surge humanitarian aid into Gaza.