A woman and a child are sitting amid the rubble of a house destroyed during an overnight Israeli strike, next to another woman watching the rescue operation, in Gaza, on Oct. 29, 2025. (Credit: Omar al-Qattaa/AFP)
U.S. President Donald Trump plans to announce before Christmas that his peace plan for Gaza is moving into its second phase, according to the U.S. news site Axios and the Israeli newspaper The Times of Israel.
This comes as the U.S.-brokered cease-fire between Israel and Hamas remains fragile, with over 360 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks since the truce started about two months ago, bringing the total Palestinian death toll since October 2023 to more than 70,000.
Citing two U.S. officials and a Western source directly involved in the process, Axios reported Thursday that, as part of the announcement before Christmas, Trump also plans to reveal the new governance structure for the enclave.
“All the different elements are fairly advanced. Everything is moving forward, and the goal is to announce it before the holidays,” a Western source directly involved in the process told Axios.
According to the U.S. outlet, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with Trump in the U.S. before the end of the month to discuss the next phase of the deal. The president told Netanyahu during a phone call on Monday that he expects him to be a “better partner” on Gaza.
Two days later, Trump stated that phase two would start "very soon," without giving a specific date. This phase involves Israel withdrawing from more parts of Gaza, deploying an International Stabilization Force (ISF) and creating a new governance structure, including a "Board of Peace" led by the American president.
Governance structure
U.S. officials say they are in the final stages of establishing the international force and new governance for Gaza, which they hope to deploy within two to three weeks, according to Axios.
Citing a U.S. official, The Times of Israel reports that Trump will disclose the individuals and nations involved in the governance and security systems overseeing postwar Gaza.
At the top of the structure, the Board of Peace, led by Trump, will consist of approximately 10 leaders from Arab and Western countries.
Below that, an international executive council will include former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Trump advisors Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, as well as senior officials from countries represented on the Board of Peace.
A Palestinian technocratic government, consisting of 12 to 15 Palestinians with management and business experience who are not affiliated with Hamas, Fatah or other Palestinian parties or factions, will operate under the executive council.
The U.S. is in the final stages of building consensus with Israel, the Palestinian Authority and regional countries on the composition of this technocratic government.
Hamas disarmament
However, according to a U.S. official cited by The Times of Israel, while the U.S. hopes to announce the transition to phase two by the end of the year, the process might not be finished by then.
Indeed, the U.S., Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey still need to conclude talks with Hamas about relinquishing power and disarmament.
Mediators are nonetheless working to “convince [the Palestinian movement] to accept a disarmament plan starting with handing over its heavy weapons, such as rockets and missiles, then, at a later stage, small arms,” according to the U.S. official.
Israel, however, insists on “more immediate and comprehensive disarmament before agreeing to withdraw its troops from the Gaza Strip.”
A Western source involved in the discussions told Axios that Egypt and Qatar are optimistic about reaching a deal with Hamas, while Netanyahu remains skeptical but “committed to giving the plan a chance.”
“The big question is whether Hamas will agree to disarm and allow the new government to take power. They cannot govern directly or indirectly through their weapons. The moment of truth will come in the next few weeks,” the source added.
These reports come as Hamas is nearly finished releasing all Israeli hostages, both living and deceased, taken on Oct. 7, 2023. The remains of only one deceased hostage have yet to be returned, a key part of phase one of Trump’s plan.
Recently, under U.S. pressure, Israel agreed to open the Rafah crossing to let Palestinians leave Gaza for Egypt. Israel, Egypt, and the U.S. are now discussing security measures that would permit Palestinians to return in the other direction.
Humanitarian convoy reaches Rmeish, Ain Ibl, Dibil despite obstacles