UPDATE: The United States is poised to initiate Phase Two of the Gaza ceasefire plan, despite Hamas’s refusal to disarm and the ongoing search for the remains of Ran Gvili, the last hostage held in the region. The urgency heightens as officials reveal that the U.S. will not delay the next phase of its peace initiative, even without the return of Gvili’s remains.
New reports confirm that the ceasefire, established in October, mandated Hamas to return all hostages to Israel within 72 hours. However, Gvili’s body remains unaccounted for, with Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad claiming it is buried under rubble. During a pivotal meeting last week at Mar-a-Lago, President Trump informed Prime Minister Netanyahu that the U.S. remains committed to recovering Gvili and disarming Hamas, yet will not condition the commencement of Phase Two on these actions.
The situation escalates as negotiations among the U.S., Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey have reportedly led to a proposed “gradual disarmament plan” that includes decommissioning heavy weaponry and a potential buy-back scheme for lighter arms. However, Israeli authorities stress that Phase Two cannot commence until both the full disarmament of Hamas and the return of Gvili’s remains are achieved.
In a statement to the Times of Israel, Trump is expected to announce the governance framework for post-war Gaza next week. This framework proposes a new governance structure, including a Board of Peace led by Trump, a subordinate executive committee featuring notable figures such as former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, and a technocratic committee of Palestinian officials for daily administration. The security aspect would be managed by an International Stabilisation Force, though participation from Turkey has been outright rejected by Israel.
As the situation unfolds, Hamas and the Red Cross have resumed efforts to locate Gvili’s body after a nearly month-long hiatus. Gvili, a 24-year-old police master sergeant, lost his life on October 7, 2023, while defending against a terrorist incursion at Kibbutz Alumim. His parents recently met with Israel’s Sephardic chief rabbi, David Yosef, who emphasized the importance of bringing Gvili home for a proper burial, invoking deep emotional responses from the community.
In his remarks, Rabbi Yosef stated, “We are all praying, and I call upon each and every one of the people of Israel that, with God’s help, very soon – very soon – he will return to us.” The emotional weight of this situation is palpable as families and communities await news.
As the Gaza ceasefire situation develops, watch for further updates on both the disarmament plans and the ongoing search for Ran Gvili, which remains a critical and heart-wrenching issue for many in Israel and beyond.
