Trump Pushes Gaza Phase Two Without Preconditions as Israel Presses Hamas on Hostage, Disarmament

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – The administration of Donald Trump has informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that it remains committed to securing the return of the final deceased Israeli hostage and to disarming Hamas, but will not make either a precondition for launching phase two of its Gaza peace plan, according to a Times of Israel exclusive.

Jerusalem has resisted moving ahead with phase two — which focuses on postwar governance and reconstruction in Gaza — until Hamas returns the remains of Israel Police Master Sgt. Ran Gvili and relinquishes its weapons. U.S. officials say Washington is coordinating with Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey on a phased disarmament framework that would begin with Hamas surrendering heavy weaponry and a proposed buy-back program for lighter arms.

Despite uncertainty over Israel’s acceptance of the plan, the Trump administration is aiming to unveil a new international “Board of Peace” as early as next week, potentially alongside interim oversight bodies and a Palestinian technocratic committee for Gaza. Trump pressed Netanyahu during talks at Mar-a-Lago to advance quickly to phase two, officials said, with Israel agreeing to cooperate while reiterating its security concerns.

Washington also hopes to announce the board’s makeup ahead of a first meeting tied to the World Economic Forum, though officials cautioned that shifting global priorities could affect the timeline.

Search efforts for Gvili’s remains resumed this week after a pause amid renewed fighting, as mediators continue to push both sides to preserve a fragile ceasefire and advance negotiations.

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