The US wants to move to the second phase of the ceasefire in January, but is frustrated by Israel’s “delays,” Israel’s Channel 12 reported.
The White House wants to move beyond the first phase of the Gaza cease-fire process in January, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pushed back and caused friction with President Donald Trump’s senior team, according to Israeli media reports.
Israel’s Channel 12 reported, citing a senior White House official, that the United States hopes to announce in early January the formation of a Palestinian technocratic government to run day-to-day operations in Gaza, a key provision of the second phase of the plan to end the genocidal war.
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The White House is expected to announce next month a multinational peace council to oversee the technocratic government’s activities and an international stabilization force to handle security in Gaza, Channel 12 reported.
The paper added that Trump could announce the peace council, which he has indicated he would chair, as early as January 19 at the Davos Economic Forum.
Meanwhile, a senior White House official quoted by Channel 12 said the US envisions beginning a phased disarmament of Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups, which would be managed by a newly installed technocratic government.
The demilitarization of Hamas, part of the ceasefire framework adopted by the UN Security Council in November, remains a key sticking point that Palestinian groups are not fully committed to. Earlier this month, Hamas official Khalid Meshaal said Hamas would agree to a temporary “freeze” of weapons, but not complete disarmament.
Israeli government “makes it more difficult”
Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, recently briefed Israeli officials on U.S. plans to advance the ceasefire process, including the establishment of a new peace council, Israel’s Channel 13 quoted an Israeli official as saying.
But Prime Minister Netanyahu, who was scheduled to meet with President Trump on Monday, resisted the plan and was particularly skeptical of Hamas’s proposal to disarm, another source told Israel’s Channel 12.
The report tracks Israel’s repeated violations of the October ceasefire, putting its future at risk.
During the 11-week ceasefire, Israel continued to attack Gaza almost daily, killing at least 406 Palestinians, including many civilians, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
Israel has also blocked the full delivery of aid promised in the ceasefire and continues to restrict essential and nutritious food items such as meat, dairy products and vegetables.
Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said on Tuesday that Israeli forces “will never leave Gaza” even though the ceasefire plan calls for Israel’s future complete withdrawal.
Israel’s Channel 12 reported that the United States is growing frustrated with what it sees as Israel’s disregard for the ceasefire and “delay” tactics that hinder American plans to move the peace process forward.
“For some time now it feels like the Israelis are having second thoughts about the Gaza deal,” an anonymous US official told the media. “Implementation is already difficult, but Israelis can make it even more difficult.”
Daniel Levy, a former Israeli government adviser who heads the U.S.-Middle East project, told Al Jazeera that Israel is unlikely to abide by key cease-fire provisions, such as a complete withdrawal or the establishment of a technocratic Palestinian government in Gaza, without significant external pressure.
“Israel has no intention of withdrawing from the remaining areas of the Gaza Strip. It has no intention of allowing international forces to kill Palestinians, which could restrict freedom of movement in any way,” Levy said. “The government has no intention of establishing legitimate Palestinian rule in Gaza, and unless it is pressured or forced to accept these things, it will hold out.”
