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3. Trump Expected to Announce ‘Phase 2’ in Gaza Today

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected on Wednesday to announce the launch of Phase 2 of his Gaza plan, including the appointment of 15 members to a temporary Palestinian committee that will oversee the territory, according to U.S. officials cited by The Wall Street Journal.

Officials told the newspaper that the conditions now allow a shift from halting the conflict to establishing governance and beginning reconstruction in Gaza.

Since the fragile ceasefire in Gaza is holding and Hamas has returned all but one hostage, the body of Israeli soldier Sgt. first class Ran Gvili, U.S. officials assess that they can now shift to the second phase. 

Will Hamas disarm?

The U.S. has been in talks with Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, which have assured Washington that Hamas will agree to a gradual disarmament plan that would begin with the terror group giving up its heavy weaponry and the launch of a “buy-back” program for lighter weapons, according to the U.S. official and two Arab diplomats, who said the goal is to begin implementing the program in the coming weeks.

It was not clear whether this framework will be sufficient for Israel. Hamas officials have publicly asserted that the organization will only agree to give up its weapons in a negotiated process that results in the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Trump told Netanyahu during their last meeting at the president’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida that he wants to quickly advance to the second phase of the ceasefire deal, a U.S. official said, adding that the premier raised concerns but said Israel would cooperate with the effort.

The Board of Peace

The U.S. has informed interlocutors that it secured commitments from Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Germany to have their leaders join Trump on the Board of Peace. The board is expected to temporarily oversee the running of Gaza and manage its reconstruction.

Most recently, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer has been offered a place on the Gaza on the board. The U.S. is also considering filling spots on the panel with the heads of the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and World Economic Forum.

Reportedly, the Trump administration wants the Board of Peace to be used to assist in the resolution of other conflicts around the globe as well.

Palestinian technocratic committee

“Washington plans to give an interim executive committee a more active oversight role than the Board of Peace. The committee is expected to include senior Trump advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, alongside former British prime minister Tony Blair. Former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov will serve as the liaison with the Palestinian technocratic committee in Gaza. 

Egypt has been spearheading efforts to form the Palestinian technocratic committee, in coordination with the U.S., Israel, and various Palestinian factions. According to an Arab diplomat, Egypt submitted a list of 12 politically unaffiliated candidates to Israel’s Shin Bet security service, which approved eight of the names.

International Stabilization Force

It remains unclear whether the U.S announcement will address the composition of the International Security Force (ISF), which is tasked with overseeing the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Washington has faced difficulties persuading countries to contribute troops.

U.S. officials had previously pointed to Indonesia and Azerbaijan as potential contributors to the multinational force, but Azerbaijan’s president publicly ruled out participation this week.

The administration had also planned a follow-up conference in Washington to clarify the ISF’s mandate for countries hesitant to join, though the meeting has yet to be finalized as officials focus on other foreign policy priorities.