UN-backed Gaza plan moves to implementation; ~100 U.S. troops coordinating in Israel
The UN‑backed, U.S.‑led 20‑point ceasefire plan is moving toward implementation, with phase two — which envisions an International Stabilization Force (ISF), a technocratic Gaza government overseen by a Board of Peace led by President Trump, Hamas disarmament and eventual Israeli withdrawal — still pending and contingent on steps such as the return of a hostage’s remains, while questions remain about force composition, command, partner commitments and shortfalls in aid deliveries. The U.S. plans to appoint a two‑star general to lead the ISF, roughly 100 U.S. troops are in Israel (not Gaza) as a small headquarters element to coordinate humanitarian aid and military deconfliction, and countries including Germany, Italy, Egypt, Turkey and others have expressed varying levels of interest but no final commitments have been announced.
📌 Key Facts
- The U.N. Security Council has approved President Trump’s 20‑point ceasefire plan; Trump will head an international “Board of Peace” to supervise a technocratic Gaza administration (Tony Blair has been floated as a member), and an international oversight body is expected to be appointed by year‑end.
- Phase one of the deal is nearly complete but the second phase has not begun; its start is contingent on the return of the last hostage’s remains (identified as Master Sgt. Ran Gvili) and on implementation of phase‑one steps such as opening key crossings and allowing more aid.
- Phase two envisions an International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza, a technocratic Palestinian government under the international board, Hamas disarmament and eventual Israeli withdrawal, but key frictions remain over disarmament, ISF composition, command and rules of engagement.
- The U.S. plans to appoint an American two‑star general to command the ISF and has proposed former U.N. envoy Nickolay Mladenov as the Board’s on‑the‑ground representative; Germany and Italy have been invited to the Board and countries discussed as possible ISF contributors include Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, Pakistan and Azerbaijan — though no firm commitments or command structure have been finalized.
- The U.S. says it will not deploy combat troops inside Gaza, but roughly 100 U.S. troops are in Israel as a small headquarters element to coordinate humanitarian aid and military deconfliction; a U.S.‑led civil‑military coordination center in southern Israel is already overseeing ceasefire and aid coordination, and some partners expect ISF ‘boots on the ground’ in early 2026.
- Humanitarian deliveries remain below the ceasefire target: Israeli COGAT data show an average of ~459 aid trucks/day versus the 600/day target, the U.N. offloading count is much lower (~113/day), and OCHA cites insecurity, customs clearance, crossing denials/delays and limited internal routes as persistent impediments.
- Violence and security incidents continue: Palestinian health officials report roughly 360–376+ deaths in Gaza since the Oct. 10 truce amid ongoing operations; Shifa Hospital reported new deaths from a strike, the IDF says it killed three militants who crossed a ‘yellow line,’ and the IDF chief described that line as a “new border” Israel intends to hold.
- Timelines and diplomacy remain fluid: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has said phase two could begin ‘very shortly’ or by month’s end if conditions are met; U.S. and partner discussions on ISF composition, the Board of Peace and related roles are ongoing with no final decisions yet.
📊 Relevant Data
In an October 2025 poll, 51% of Gazans expressed positive views of Hamas, complicating efforts to de-radicalize and disarm the group as part of the peace plan.
Hamas's Popularity Rises in Gaza, Complicating Trump Plan to ... — The Wall Street Journal
As of October 2025, 53% of Palestinians support Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, indicating significant challenges to de-radicalization efforts in Gaza.
Support of Oct 7 attack increases in Gaza, West Bank — The Jerusalem Post
Satisfaction with Hamas' performance in October 2025 stands at 51% in the Gaza Strip compared to 66% in the West Bank, highlighting regional differences in political support among Palestinians.
Public Opinion Poll No (96) — Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research
In 2025, only 33% of Palestinians support a two-state solution, which is essential context for understanding the stakes and potential resistance to the peace plan's implementation.
Peace Still a Distant Prospect for Israelis, Palestinians — Gallup News
Israel's blocking of new currency inflows and deductions from Palestinian revenues have contributed to severe cash scarcity, inflation, and economic decline in Gaza, exacerbating disparities with Israel.
Israel’s financial stranglehold on the occupied Palestinian territory must end – UN expert — Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
Notes From Israel
"An on‑the‑ground critical take arguing that the U.N./U.S. plan to move to a 'phase two' Gaza ceasefire — with an international stabilization force and Trump‑led oversight board — is premature, faces steep political and operational hurdles (notably hostage returns, ISF composition and Hamas disarmament), and risks becoming symbolic unless core conditions are resolved."
📰 Sources (11)
Waltz hails ‘night-and-day’ Middle East shift as Trump’s Gaza plan reshapes region
New information:
- Ambassador Michael Waltz says roughly 100 U.S. troops are in Israel (not in Gaza) as a small headquarters element to coordinate humanitarian aid and military deconfliction.
- Waltz states the UN has adopted a resolution endorsing the Board of Peace, setting transitional governance parameters for Gaza, and launching the International Stabilization Force.
- Waltz describes active burden-sharing with UN, NGOs, Israel, Egypt, and Arab states, and frames the situation as 'night and day' compared with a year ago.
Trump plans to appoint U.S. general to lead Gaza security force
New information:
- The Trump administration plans to appoint an American two-star general to command the Gaza International Stabilization Force (ISF), per two U.S. officials and two Israeli officials.
- UN Ambassador Mike Waltz told Prime Minister Netanyahu that the U.S. will lead the ISF and that he knows the slated general personally, according to Israeli officials.
- A White House official says compositions of the ISF, Board of Peace, and a technocratic Palestinian government are under discussion but no final decisions have been made.
- The U.S. has proposed former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov as the Board of Peace representative on the ground in Gaza.
- Germany and Italy have been invited to join the Board of Peace; prior interest in sending ISF troops came from Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Egypt, though Western participation is uncertain.
- U.S. officials say a civil-military HQ in Israel is already overseeing the ceasefire and aid coordination; the administration maintains there will be no U.S. boots on the ground in Gaza.
- Key friction points for partners include whether Hamas will disarm and the ISF rules of engagement.
Aid deliveries into Gaza fail to meet ceasefire terms, analysis shows
New information:
- AP analysis of COGAT figures finds Gaza aid averaged 459 trucks/day Oct. 12–Dec. 7 versus the ceasefire’s 600/day target.
- COGAT says ~18,000 food-aid trucks entered since the truce (70% of total aid since the truce), implying just over 25,700 trucks total vs. ~33,600 expected by Dec. 7.
- UN database shows only 6,545 trucks offloaded in the same period (~113/day), with discrepancies attributed to non‑UN bilateral shipments and bottlenecks.
- OCHA cites ‘persistent impediments’ — insecurity, customs clearance, crossing denials/delays, and limited internal routes — constraining deliveries.
- Israel temporarily halted aid at least once over alleged Hamas truce violations tied to returning hostage remains; Hamas cites difficulties locating remains amid destruction.
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.