UNSC-approved Gaza ceasefire phase two targets early-2026 ISF deployment; Trump-led board forming
The U.N. Security Council has approved President Trump’s 20‑point Gaza ceasefire plan, and phase two — which envisions Hamas disarmament, an international Stabilization Force, and a technocratic Gaza government overseen by a Trump‑led “Board of Peace” — remains pending as phase one winds down and the last hostage’s remains are returned. U.S. officials predict ISF “boots on the ground” in early 2026 and say the oversight board is expected to be appointed by year‑end, but participation, command arrangements and buy‑in from Israel, Hamas and potential contributors (Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, Pakistan among those mentioned) are unresolved.
📌 Key Facts
- The U.N. Security Council has approved President Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan; Trump is set to head an international “Board of Peace” to supervise a technocratic Gaza administration (Tony Blair has been floated as a possible member) and an oversight body is expected to be appointed by year‑end.
- Phase two has not begun; it envisions an International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza, a technocratic government, Hamas disarmament, and eventual Israeli withdrawal — and a U.S. official predicts 'boots on the ground' for the ISF in early 2026.
- Countries that have expressed willingness to participate in the ISF include Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan, but there are no firm commitments, the force’s command structure is unresolved, and Israel rejects Turkish participation.
- Hamas says it will oppose efforts to disarm it and conditions moving to phase two on Israel fully implementing phase one (including opening key crossings, halting strikes, and allowing more aid); Israel has expressed hesitation about entrusting security to an international body.
- Phase one is described as nearly complete but remains contingent on the return of the last Israeli hostage’s remains (Master Sgt. Ran Gvili); reports say completion would include Israel returning 15 Palestinian bodies in exchange, while Hamas says destruction has hampered efforts to locate the remains.
- Humanitarian and casualty updates: Palestinian health officials report at least 376 people killed since the Oct. 10 ceasefire took hold; UN and aid groups say current aid levels are far short of needs.
- Operational and security notes: Shifa Hospital reported two Palestinians killed in a strike northwest of Gaza City while the IDF said soldiers killed three militants who crossed the so‑called 'yellow line' into an Israeli‑controlled area; IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has called the yellow line a 'new border.'
- Diplomatic moves and assistance: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to the White House this month to meet President Trump to discuss next steps; Germany plans to assist phase two by sending officers and diplomats to a U.S.‑led civilian/military coordination center in southern Israel and by providing humanitarian aid, though Netanyahu has cited ICC‑related travel concerns.
📊 Relevant Data
The population of Gaza has declined by about 160,000 during the course of the war to 2.1 million as of 2025.
Gaza population falls 6 percent since start of war, statistics agency says — Al Jazeera
Unemployment in Gaza is over 80 percent as of 2025.
Gaza facing worst economic collapse ever recorded, UN trade body warns — UN News
Gaza's economy collapsed 83% in 2024, pushing all 2.3 million people into poverty, with GDP per capita at $161.
Gaza's economy collapsed 83% in 2024, pushing all 2.3 million people into poverty — UNCTAD
Gaza has a high proportion of youth, with 43.5% being children 14 or younger and 50% under age of 18.
Gaza Strip - Wikipedia — Wikipedia
The blockade of the Gaza Strip was intensified after Hamas took over in 2007, limiting movement of goods and people.
Blockade of the Gaza Strip - Wikipedia — Wikipedia
📰 Sources (8)
Trump’s ceasefire plan for the Israel-Hamas war faces pitfalls as it moves into new phase
New information:
- The U.N. Security Council has approved President Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan to end Hamas’ rule in Gaza.
- Phase one is nearly complete with the remains of one hostage still in Gaza; Qatar’s prime minister says the ceasefire is at a ‘critical point.’
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to the White House this month to discuss next steps.
- A U.S. official says partner countries are meeting this month and predicts ‘boots on the ground’ for the International Stabilization Force in early 2026.
- Countries expressing willingness to participate in the ISF include Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan, though no firm commitments or command structure have been finalized.
- Hamas says it will oppose efforts by the force to disarm it, and Israel is hesitant to entrust security to an international body.
- Trump will head an international ‘Board of Peace’ to supervise Gaza’s technocratic administration; Tony Blair has been floated as a possible member, but Trump is the only official member named so far.
Hamas wants more pressure on Israel before ceasefire’s next phase
New information:
- Hamas official Husam Badran threatened not to proceed to phase two unless Israel fully implements phase one, including opening a key crossing, halting strikes, and allowing more aid.
- Israel said it would begin allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza through a crossing on the Jordan–Israel border.
- Updated figure from Palestinian health officials: at least 376 Palestinians have been killed since the Oct. 10 ceasefire took hold amid Israeli operations.
- Hamas says destruction from Israeli strikes has hampered efforts to locate the last hostage’s remains.
- UN and aid groups say current aid levels are far short of needs.
Netanyahu says Israel and Hamas will soon enter second phase of ceasefire
New information:
- Netanyahu said phase two could begin by the end of the month, contingent on Hamas returning the remains of Ran Gvili.
- AP quotes a senior Hamas official saying the group is ready to discuss “freezing or storing or laying down” its weapons as part of the ceasefire.
- IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir called the Gaza “Yellow Line” a “new border” and said Israel will remain on those defense lines.
- Germany will assist phase-two implementation by sending officers and diplomats to a U.S.-led civilian and military coordination center and by sending humanitarian aid.
- Completion of phase one would include Israel returning 15 Palestinian bodies in exchange for Gvili’s remains.
Netanyahu says he expects Gaza ceasefire second phase to begin soon
New information:
- Netanyahu said phase two of the Gaza ceasefire is expected to begin 'very shortly' and could start by the end of the month.
- Netanyahu announced he will meet President Trump later this month to discuss 'opportunities for peace.'
- AP-sourced detail: an international body overseeing the ceasefire, led by President Trump, is expected to be appointed by the end of the year.
- Netanyahu framed phase two as focused on the disarmament of Hamas and demilitarization of Gaza, with a third phase on 'deradicalization.'
- Status note: the remains of Israeli Master Sgt. Ran Gvili have not yet been returned.
Netanyahu says second phase of Gaza ceasefire soon to begin
New information:
- Netanyahu said Israel and Hamas are "very shortly" expected to move into phase two of the ceasefire, possibly by the end of the month, contingent on Hamas returning the remains of the last hostage, Ran Gvili.
- He outlined phase two elements: deploying an international force in Gaza and forming a temporary Palestinian government under an international board led by President Donald Trump.
- Germany will assist phase two by sending officers and diplomats to a U.S.-led civilian/military coordination center in southern Israel and by providing humanitarian aid.
- Netanyahu acknowledged travel concerns due to an ICC warrant and said there are no immediate plans to visit Germany; Merz reiterated support for Israel and a two-state solution while saying recognition of a Palestinian state should come at the end of a process.
Qatari prime minister says Gaza ceasefire is at a critical moment as first phase winds down
New information:
- Qatar’s prime minister says the ceasefire is at a “critical moment” as the first phase winds down and stresses it remains a pause, not a full ceasefire.
- He states one Israeli hostage’s remains still need to be handed over; Israel sent a delegation to Egypt last week to discuss returning the last hostage’s remains.
- The second phase has not begun; it envisions an international security force in Gaza, a technocratic government, Hamas disarmament, and eventual Israeli withdrawal.
- Turkey’s foreign minister publicly questions the composition/command of any Gaza security force and notes Israel rejects Turkish participation.
- AP cites Arab and Western officials that an international oversight body led by President Trump is expected to be appointed by year-end.
- Operational update: Shifa Hospital reports two Palestinians killed in a strike northwest of Gaza City; IDF says it isn’t aware of an airstrike there but says soldiers killed three militants who crossed the “yellow line” into the Israeli-controlled area.
Gaza ceasefire talks in "critical moment" as second phase in deal yet to begin
New information:
- Qatar’s prime minister says the ceasefire is at a “critical moment,” stressing it is only a pause and not yet a full ceasefire without Israeli withdrawal and restored stability in Gaza.
- The second phase of the U.S. plan — including deployment of an international security force, a technocratic Gaza government, Hamas disarmament, and eventual Israeli withdrawal — has not begun.
- Arab and Western officials told AP that an international body to oversee the ceasefire, led by President Trump, is expected to be appointed by year-end.
- Turkey’s foreign minister raised major open questions about the international security force’s participants, command structure, and initial mission, noting Israel rejects Turkish participation.
- Gaza health officials say 360+ Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the October truce took effect; Shifa Hospital reported two new deaths in an airstrike northwest of Gaza City.
- The IDF said it killed three militants who crossed a “yellow line” into an Israeli‑controlled area in northern Gaza and posed an immediate threat.