Trump said the council would be composed of leaders of the world's most influential countries. He added that "everyone wants to be part of the council".

When White House reporters asked, regarding the Gaza plan, when an announcement could be expected on the council's leadership structure, he replied that the move would take place early next year. According to Trump, the Gaza Peace Council will be "one of the most legendary councils ever."

"We did not think of it at first", Trump said, "but it will be led by the most important countries. It was not planned this way. We thought we would receive very important people who do this sort of thing for a living, but the candidates now include kings, presidents and prime ministers. They all want to be on the Peace Council."

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Arab and Western diplomatic sources indicate these conditions encompass shuttering all UN refugee agencies, chiefly UNRWA (the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees), across Palestinian Authority territories with particular emphasis on Gaza, while transferring complete responsibility for civilian needs to the Palestinian Authority itself. Israel further insists on transforming "refugee camps" into standard neighborhoods or towns, and abolishing refugee designation throughout Palestinian Authority areas.

Reports from i24NEWS revealed that Israel has positioned the termination of UN refugee agency operations as a prerequisite for IDF withdrawal from Jenin and Tulkarem camps, where forces have maintained presence for months. Diplomatic sources confirm this demand surfaced in Israeli-American discussions and conversations with European intermediaries including Tony Blair and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during Monday's meeting.

Israel has simultaneously advanced its established requirements: complete Hamas disarmament, comprehensive Israeli security authority with unrestricted military operations even in Palestinian Authority-controlled zones, total demilitarization of Palestinian territories excepting lightly-armed police forces, meaningful curriculum overhauls in Palestinian Authority educational institutions from kindergarten through university eliminating antisemitic and anti-Israel materials, population-wide de-radicalization initiatives, genuine Palestinian Authority security operations against terror organizations, and additional measures. Israel views these as essential preconditions for accepting a process culminating in Palestinian statehood, as mandated by the Trump plan (the framework for Gaza's future governance and normalization) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu endorsed.

During Monday's press conference following his session with Chancellor Merz, Netanyahu declared, "We believe pathways exist for advancing broader Arab peace and establishing workable peace with our Palestinian neighbors, but we refuse to create a state dedicated to our annihilation directly next to us. The sole principle we'll invariably maintain is Israeli sovereign security authority. We sidestepped the Palestinian Authority because it lacks peace commitment. Everyone claims they'll transform – I'm skeptical. They must cease indoctrinating their children in murdering Israelis and compensating terrorists."

Negotiations toward Phase 2

Diplomatic contacts have persisted toward an American announcement on commencing Phase 2 negotiations of the Trump plan (the framework for Gaza's future governance and normalization). The principal obstacle remains the unreturned body of the final fallen captive, Staff Sgt. Ran Gvili, a Yasam (Israel Police Special Patrol Unit) combatant killed battling Hamas terrorists on October 7 after neutralizing dozens.

Shin Bet Director David Zini traveled to Cairo last week, conferring with Egyptian counterparts on intelligence approximately pinpointing Gvili's location. Subsequently, Monday witnessed renewed searches in Gaza's Zeitoun neighborhood, conducted with Red Cross and Hamas representatives present.

Washington has pushed to announce Phase 2's commencement regardless of Gvili's recovery. Gvili's family petitioned Prime Minister Netanyahu against any advancement until Gvili's return. Family members report Netanyahu consented.

The Trump plan's Phase 2 encompasses Hamas's weapons dismantlement and governance transfer to an international civilian entity, paired with further Israeli withdrawal per security protocols. Hamas leadership has consistently proclaimed the organization won't relinquish arms, with internal disagreement on this matter, though even moderates reject complete weapons surrender.

Arab sources maintain that characterizing the situation as absent any transfer preparation progress misrepresents reality, asserting the incoming weeks will unveil the new governing apparatus designated for Strip authority, comprising an internationally-participated governing council alongside a bureaucratic administrative structure predominantly consisting of Palestinian Gaza residents, including former Palestinian Authority functionaries preceding Hamas's takeover.

Qatar seeks guarantees

Monday witnessed a noteworthy Washington meeting assembling Mossad Director David Barnea, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and a high-ranking Qatari delegate. This inaugural session in the reconciliation process represented the Netanyahu-Trump agreement's implementation. The initiative commenced with Netanyahu's White House call to Qatar's Prime Minister al-Thani during Netanyahu's late September Trump meeting.

The session established that within this US-mediated framework, monthly consultations will address contentious matters. Current agenda items encompass Qatar's Hamas member hosting, Qatari "mediation" that Israel contends yielded disappointing outcomes, and Qatar's insistence on Israeli pledges against territorial attacks.

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Meanwhile, Washington is pressing to declare the start of phase B of Trump's Gaza plan, with Gvili's return the only factor holding it up. Hamas claims it is not certain where he is and that there is no justification to delay the next phase.

In response, US officials want to clarify whether the terrorist organization is currently making, and has previously made, every possible effort to locate the final hostage. If it is determined that this is indeed the case, they argue there is no reason not to proceed with the next phase of the plan.

Trump wants to move ahead

A source familiar with the details said the US administration is applying heavy pressure on the matter, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to insist that Hamas fulfill its obligation to return all the hostages as required under phase A of the gaza plan.

Under President Donald Trump's 20-point plan, phase A includes the return of all hostages, living and dead, within 72 hours, a deadline Hamas failed to meet. The plan also states that Hamas members who commit to peaceful coexistence and to disarmament will be rehabilitated and granted amnesty. So far, no Hamas member is known to have accepted these terms.

Despite the fact that these conditions have yet to be implemented, Trump aims to accelerate the timetable and begin reconstruction work in the Gaza Strip as early as March 2026.

Staff Sgt. Ran Gvili, 24, a Yasam police officer from Meitar, is the last hostage still held in the Gaza Strip.

Gvili served in the Yasam Negev unit and fought with extraordinary bravery in the battle at Alumim on October 7. On the black Saturday, he left his home in Meitar for the Gaza border communities despite suffering from a shoulder fracture. There he rescued more than 100 people from the Nova music festival and killed 14 terrorists before being abducted.

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According to the source, the administration is applying heavy pressure on the matter, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to insist that Hamas must fulfill its obligation to return all the hostages as required in Phase A of the agreement. Netanyahu's office did not respond to Israel Hayom's request for comment.

Under Trump's 20-point plan, Phase A of the deal to end the war requires the return of all hostages, both living and dead, within 72 hours, a timetable that Hamas has entirely failed to meet. Point 6 states that after the return of all hostages, any Hamas members who pledge to live in peaceful coexistence and demilitarize will be rehabilitated and granted amnesty. Hamas members who wish to leave Gaza will receive safe passage to any country willing to accept them. To date, there is no indication that any Hamas member has agreed to peaceful coexistence with Israel, to disarm or to relocate.

Although these provisions have not been implemented, Trump is seeking to move forward with the timeline, with the administration aiming to begin reconstruction work in Gaza as early as March 2026.

The Gvili family, the parents of the hostage, said in a statement: "Phase A of the hostage deal is not complete as long as Ran has not returned home. We demand that Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump pressure Hamas and Islamic Jihad to bring Ran home immediately. It is impossible to move to the second phase of the deal without Rani here."

The last hostage in Gaza

Staff Sgt. Ran Gvili, 24, a Yasam police officer from Meitar, is the last hostage still held in the Gaza Strip. This follows the return of hostage Sutthisak Rinthalak to Israel last week.

Gvili served in the Yasam Negev unit and fought with extraordinary bravery in the battle at Alumim on October 7. On the black Saturday, he left his home in Meitar for the Gaza border communities despite suffering from a shoulder fracture. There he rescued more than 100 people from the Nova music festival and killed 14 terrorists before being abducted.

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Minister Amichai Eliyahu of Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) announced on Wednesday that he would vote against the legislation to adopt language of the Trump initiative – which led to the Israel-Hamas ceasefire – after it is introduced in the Knesset members for an official up-or-down vote.

Lapid (Yesh Atid) initiated the measure, stating, "I will bring a motion to the Knesset plenum for a vote on a resolution for the Knesset of Israel to accept and adopt the 20-point plan of United States President Donald Trump."

Lapid elaborated, "The entire Israeli people is grateful to President Trump for having led a courageous deal for the release of the Israeli hostages. We support President Trump and strengthen his hand in his efforts to implement the plan's stages. I expect all parties to vote in favor of the President's plan."

Minister Eliyahu told the radio station Galei Tzahal, "We will certainly vote against – if Lapid wants to embarrass the state, that's his business. A Palestinian state will not be established." The plan, however, includes a "path to the establishment of a Palestinian state."

The opposition previously embarrassed the government from the right last month when a bill to apply sovereignty was passed. Vice President JD Vance, who was visiting Israel at the time, criticized the move. Following the support of MK Yuli Edelstein (Likud) for the move, which went against the directive of the Coalition, he was removed from the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

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A Palestinian source told Israel Hayom Tuesday that the US and other international forces understand that the Palestinian Authority ultimately needs to take control of the Gaza Strip.

According to the source, the PA's participation in postwar arrangements would speed up that process and help facilitate it.

The remarks came after al-Sheikh's second meeting this week with Blair, who is slated to lead the international council as part of Trump's plan for the Middle East and the Gaza Strip.

The head of the PA's General Intelligence Service, Majed Faraj, and Mahmoud Abbas' diplomatic adviser, Majdi Khaldi, also took part in the meeting.

The Palestinian official told the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat that al-Sheikh stressed to Blair the need for the PA to assume responsibility for the Gaza Strip as part of what he referred to as the Palestinian "state."

The two discussed the PA's role in Gaza through a technocratic committee and Palestinian forces that, from their perspective, are meant to deploy in the Strip.

On Saturday, Egyptian sources said that hundreds of "Palestinian security personnel" were ready to deploy in Gaza. Thousands of PA police officers are undergoing training in Egypt and Jordan.

The discussions also addressed the proposed international oversight body, the so-called Peace Council, and the question of international forces that would be stationed temporarily in the Gaza Strip.

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The wording of the resolution has been debated in recent weeks among the countries shaping Gaza's future, led by the US, Israel and Egypt. Israel Hayom obtained the current version of the draft, which contains ten clauses. Clause 7, the most significant from Israel's perspective, lays out for the first time how Hamas will be disarmed. According to the text, Palestinian forces, coordinated with Israel and Egypt, together with the ISF, will carry out the task.

The draft states that the international stabilization force (ISF) will work with Israel and Egypt, without harming existing agreements between them, alongside a recently trained and vetted Palestinian police force, to help secure the border areas; stabilize Gaza's security environment by ensuring the disarmament of the Gaza Strip, including the destruction of military, terrorist and offensive infrastructure and preventing its reconstruction, as well as the permanent disarmament of non-state armed groups.

Clause 6 emphasizes that a Palestinian administration will be established in Gaza, but it will not include national or political components.

The draft states that this will involve establishing a transitional administration, including oversight and support for a non-political technocratic Palestinian committee made up of qualified Gazans, under the auspices of the Arab League, responsible for the day-to-day functioning of Gaza's civil service and administration.

The resolution dedicates several clauses to international support for Gaza and calls on countries around the world to contribute financially to the reconstruction of the Strip. However, UNRWA is not included among the organizations expected to take part in rebuilding Gaza, and the resolution clarifies that any organization whose staff cooperate with terrorism will be removed.

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Still, the terrorist organization will eventually have to meet its commitment and return all the bodies. To that end, it is trying to ride the wave of Gaza's humanitarian crisis and request large-scale assistance following the flooding caused by the recent rains.

The campaign has already begun, with a series of videos showing the dire conditions Palestinians face in tent camps, addressed directly to the international community and Arab states. Hamas hopes the campaign will refocus global attention on Gaza, which has slipped somewhat from the center of international discourse since the ceasefire, despite ongoing debates around the UN Security Council resolution on the issue.

At the same time, Hamas is attempting to evade the question of disarmament through a drawn-out and largely pointless dialogue with other Palestinian factions. More than a month of talks and message exchanges with the Palestinian Authority has led to no final agreement on a new governing framework for Gaza. Meanwhile, Hamas operatives are once again spreading through the streets and tightening their control over the Strip.

The main point of contention is the demand by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and his advisers that Hamas hand over its weapons, arguing that this would force Israel to withdraw completely from the Gaza Strip. Hamas, however, insists on keeping at least its rifles for what it calls self-defense, all the more so given that just 18 years ago its fighters massacred Fatah members. Surrendering weapons would not be a particularly wise move from its perspective.

Given all this, Hamas' main avenue for prolonging the ceasefire is through its channel with the Americans. The New York Times reported over the weekend that envoy Steve Witkoff is planning another meeting with senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya. As expected, the discussion will focus on the ceasefire, and Hamas' leadership appears eager for the opportunity.

In a twist of irony, the Trump administration has become Hamas' central lifeline. From the moment the agreement was reached, the organization viewed Washington as the main guarantor of maintaining the ceasefire. Without US involvement, Israel would likely have resumed the fighting within a short time.

The question now is how long the pillars Hamas relies on to stabilize the ceasefire can hold. The chief one, the return of the hostages, is nearing completion. The other two, the humanitarian campaign and the internal Palestinian dialogue over weapons, are both shaky. Even the last pillar, the Trump administration, has repeatedly signaled that it tends to align with Israel's positions.

Indeed, if Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner conclude that there is no progress to be made, they will rightly support any decision Israel makes. Hamas understands this to some extent. Its members are already being briefed to follow strict security protocols out of fear of targeted killings. It appears that in Gaza, too, there is growing recognition that the next round of fighting is only a matter of time.

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Even if trilateral negotiations are formally announced, expectations are that the initial outcomes will be economic and commercial rather than political, largely because of Saudi displeasure with elements of Netanyahu's coalition.

Progress on key disputes

According to diplomatic sources familiar with the discussions, the sides have made significant progress and potential solutions are emerging on the main points of disagreement. The central issue is Saudi Arabia's desire to establish a nuclear facility on its soil that would include an independent uranium-enrichment capability.

Former National Security Council head Meir Ben-Shabbat wrote that Mohammed bin Salman justifies this demand in light of senior Iranian officials' declarations of determination to rebuild Iran's nuclear project. One option being discussed is a US-built nuclear facility in Saudi Arabia that would operate with American personnel and American security oversight. It remains unclear whether Israel would accept such an arrangement, but talks are advancing in a way that leaves the door open to a civilian nuclear facility in Saudi Arabia, though not in the immediate term.

The crown prince's visit to Washington is intended to culminate in a defense pact similar to the one the US signed with Qatar, and on this issue there is almost complete agreement with the Americans. Moreover, the Saudis view Israel as a partner in this framework, which aligns with the joint regional command structure headed by US Central Command, known as CENTCOM.

Saudi Arabia has expressed confidence in Israel's proven capabilities and its willingness to act independently, as demonstrated in strikes against Iranian and Qatari targets. As Israel Hayom has previously reported, Saudi military helicopters intercepted Iranian UAVs en route to Israel during the June conflict with Iran.

F-35 and Israel's Qualitative Military Edge

A major announcement is also expected on large-scale defense procurement agreements, primarily the acquisition of F-35 fighter jets. The Pentagon has already approved the sale of F-35s to Saudi Arabia, which still requires the approval of the US Senate and the signature of President Trump.

Until now, the F-35 has been sold to 19 countries, most of them Western. In the Middle East, only Israel currently operates the advanced aircraft. Although the F-35 is considered a key component of Israel's Qualitative Military Edge, Israel possesses an upgraded model equipped with unique systems.

Diplomatic officials say the US guarantees to preserve Israel's qualitative military edge, enshrined in legislation, are extensive. According to those officials, this aligns with the shared Israeli and American goal of establishing a new, long-term security framework that includes expanded cooperation in developing advanced weapons systems. In practice, this would allow the Israel Defense Forces to access qualitative advantages already in the earliest development stages of cutting-edge military technologies, together with the US military, well before other countries that purchase American weapons.

Palestinian statehood Issue resolved

Another issue that has effectively been resolved is the requirement for progress toward a Palestinian state. This clause was already included in Trump's earlier plan, and it is now being implemented through a draft resolution that the UN Security Council is expected to vote on Monday, one day before the meeting between President Trump and the Saudi crown prince.

A diplomatic source confirmed that, at Saudi request, the draft resolution includes several changes from the original Trump plan, the most significant being that the clause has been moved to the top of the text instead of appearing as point 19 in the Trump proposal.

Once the meeting between the two leaders was set, it was clear that Israel would be part of the agenda, with only the details left to determine. Now it appears those details are nearing completion. If successful, this would mark a major breakthrough in Israel's relations with the Arab world, provided the process is not halted or derailed as happened on October 7.

Eastern Gaza Strip plan

The next stage of implementing Trump's plan is approaching and is moving forward along two parallel tracks. Political and security officials familiar with the behind-the-scenes diplomatic process describe two lines of effort:

The first is practical: establishing humanitarian zones in areas under Israeli control.

The second is diplomatic: preparing to open negotiations on the second phase, which involves disarming Hamas and transferring authority over the entire Gaza Strip to an international committee.

The Security Council resolution expected Monday is meant to accelerate the formation of a multinational force. But a fundamental problem remains: Hamas' refusal to disarm and the reluctance of involved states to send troops as long as Hamas retains its weapons.

For this purpose, President Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to meet with Khalil al-Hayya, head of Hamas' negotiation team. The proposal on the table would transfer the weapons to the Palestinian force being trained under American supervision in Jordan. Hamas' leadership is divided on the issue and, at most, is willing to hand over rocket weapons to an Arab entity.

On the second track, reconstruction and civilian management of the Palestinian population in the area under Israeli control, known as the Eastern Gaza Strip, Washington intends to begin transferring certain civilian authorities soon. This would initially be handled through the Civil-Military Coordination Center, or CMCC, which has been established in Kiryat Gat.

The Americans are deeply involved in establishing the humanitarian zones in areas under Israeli control, including a major one in the southern part of the strip and several smaller ones in both the south and the north. Several countries are participating in creating these areas, including Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, the US, Morocco and others.

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The Americans are attempting to assess the capabilities of these militias and determine the extent of their influence and control. Those operating in areas under Israeli control function with almost no interference and have managed to maintain relative order, including organizing food distribution. Other militias remain in active conflict with Hamas terrorists. Their message to the Americans has been clear: they need assistance in this fight.

The American goal is to explore whether these militias can be transformed into a local force that maintains order and security in their respective areas, and potentially beyond.

The plan involves deploying them in the newly established humanitarian zones in both the southern and northern parts of the Strip, which are under Israeli control. This initiative is partly driven by the difficulty of assembling a multinational force, an issue discussed in a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US presidential adviser Jared Kushner.

As reported Tuesday, the international task force headquartered in the facility known as CMCC in Kiryat Gat in southern Israel has been maintaining regular contact with several militia and clan leaders in the Gaza Strip. The goal is to assist in organizing the humanitarian zones and help distribute food and aid to displaced Gazans in both the south and north of the enclave.

According to sources involved in these contacts, Israel is assisting in facilitating the coordination. The intention is to establish these militias as a stabilizing force, which, if successful, would be granted expanded authority over wider parts of the Strip.

Two of these militias are led by Husam al-Astal and Yasser Abu Shabab, clan-backed militias operating in southern Gaza that have been engaging in daily clashes with Hamas terrorists.

According to reports in Arab and Israeli media, al-Astal, formerly a member of the Palestinian Authority's Preventive Security Service under the command of Mohammed Dahlan, joined forces with the militia established by Abu Shabab in eastern Rafah, and later set up his own "safe zone" in the Khan Younis area. In interviews, he claimed that his militia receives equipment and support from Israel, and that there is close coordination between him, Abu Shabab and Israel.

A volatile issue

As for the Hamas terrorists besieged in the Rafah area, several proposals are being floated. But Israel remains firm in its position: no deal will proceed until Hamas has returned all the bodies of hostages in its possession.

Hamas is demanding the terrorists be allowed to return to its territory unharmed. The US is pushing for their disarmament. Israel has yet to make a final decision, the issue involves Nukhba terrorists who took part in the October 7 massacre, as well as others responsible for the deaths of three IDF soldiers after the ceasefire was announced.

Furthermore, Israeli officials say that once this phase is completed, Hamas must publicly declare its consent to disarm. Only then will negotiations begin over the second stage of transferring governance.

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