Nickolay Mladenov, the U.S. envoy overseeing Gaza reconstruction, on Wednesday urged Hamas to embrace an international rebuilding plan instead of consolidating military control over the war-ravaged enclave. Speaking in East Jerusalem, the former U.N. envoy said the militant group was taxing desperate residents and blocking temporary housing that could move thousands out of rodent-infested tents.

The Board of Peace's roadmap requires Hamas to surrender its weapons and renounce violence in exchange for a political future. "A political party that disavows armed activity can compete in national Palestinian elections," Mladenov said, though he imposed no deadline and made no clear threat of consequences if Hamas refuses. A Hamas spokesman said the group was ready to hand over administrative control but did not address whether its military wing would disarm.

Mladenov also acknowledged Israel has violated the cease-fire with deadly airstrikes occurring almost daily in areas far from any military threat. Experts say Israel has also taken territory beyond agreed lines and hampered humanitarian aid delivery. Palestinian analysts remain skeptical that Hamas would ever surrender its weapons, with one noting "Hamas was born with weapons. Hamas can't be Hamas without weapons."