A US-backed plan to end the Gaza war has moved into its second phase, but Israel and Hamas remain locked in disputes that were not settled in phase one. The biggest flashpoints are Hamas’s refusal to publicly commit to full disarmament, which Israel calls non-negotiable, and the lack of clarity on whether Israel will fully withdraw its forces from Gaza.

What Phase One Delivered and What it Did Not

Phase one, launched in October 2025 under President Donald Trump’s 20-point proposal, aimed to halt fighting, increase aid and secure the return of hostages held in Gaza. Most hostages have been returned, but the remains of one Israeli, Ran Gvili, have not been handed over. Israel says Hamas is delaying the return, while Hamas says the scale of destruction has made locating the remains difficult.

Both sides have traded accusations over ceasefire violations. Gaza’s health authorities say more than 450 people have been killed since the ceasefire took effect, while Israel says it targeted suspected militants who entered restricted areas near the so-called Yellow Line, an informal boundary tied to Israeli military control. Aid agencies have also raised concerns about humanitarian access, while Israel rejects claims it has blocked agreed volumes of assistance.

Technocratic Committee and the New “Board of Peace”

Phase two is built around a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee meant to handle day-to-day governance in post-war Gaza. Mediators Egypt, Turkey and Qatar said Ali Shaath, a former Palestinian Authority deputy minister, would lead the committee. Hamas said the committee is a “step in the right direction” and called for international backing to make it functional.

Trump has also announced that a “Board of Peace” has been formed, with member names to be released soon. US envoy Steve Witkoff said phase two is meant to move from ceasefire into demilitarisation, technocratic governance and reconstruction, with Hamas expected to comply with remaining obligations, including the return of Gvili’s remains.

Why the Next Stretch Could Make or Break the Truce

Diplomats and officials warning about the fragility of the deal point to three pressure points: disarmament, withdrawal and aid. For Palestinians, the central demand remains a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, but there is still no detailed timetable. With an international stabilisation force also proposed to help secure Gaza and train vetted police units, phase two now depends on whether mediators can keep sustained pressure on both sides to move beyond long-held red lines.