Trump could unveil Gaza ‘peace council’, ‘government’ soon: Israeli media

According to Israeli media reports, the White House wants to move past phase one of the Gaza ceasefire process in January, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has resisted, causing conflict with US President Donald Trump’s senior team.

Senior White House officials, who were cited by Israel’s Channel 12 said that phase two of the plan to end the genocidal war intended to set up a Palestinian technocratic government to oversee day-to-day affairs in Gaza in early January.

Next month, the White House plans to establish a multinational peace council to oversee the work of the technocratic government, as well as an international stabilization force to manage Gaza’s security, according to Channel 12.

Trump could make the announcement of the peace council, which he has suggested he would lead, on January 19 at the Davos Economic Forum, it continued.

According to a senior White House official who was quoted by Channel 12: “The US envisions the start of staged disarmament of Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups.”

The Palestinian organization hasn’t fully committed to Hamas’ demilitarization, which was a key component of the November UN Security Council’s ceasefire agreement. Khaled Meshaal, a senior Hamas figure, earlier this month, stated that the organization would be willing to temporarily “freeze” its weapons before fully disarmating them.

The Israeli government is “making it more difficult.”

A senior Israeli official, whose status was cited by Israel’s Channel 13, recently provided information to US officials regarding US plans to advance the ceasefire process, including the establishment of the new peace council.

A separate informed source told Israel’s Channel 12 that Netanyahu, who was scheduled to meet Trump on Monday, has resisted the plans and expressed particular skepticism about the call for Hamas’ disarmament.

The report comes after repeated Israeli violations of the October ceasefire, which have threatened the country’s future.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health claims that Israel has continued to attack Gaza almost daily throughout the 11-week truce, killing at least 406 Palestinians and many civilians.

Additionally, Israel has continued to impose a restriction on essential and nutrient-rich food items like meat, dairy, and vegetables while delivering all of the aid promised by the ceasefire.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on Tuesday that, despite the ceasefire plan calling for Israel’s full withdrawal, Israeli forces “will never leave Gaza.”

According to Israel’s Channel 12, the US has grown frustrated with what it perceives as Israel’s disregard for the truce and “delay” tactics, which are hampered by Washington’s efforts to advance the peace process.

An unnamed US official told the media, “It seems to me as though the Israelis are having second thoughts about the Gaza agreement.” The Israelis’ “Implementation is already challenging,” he said.

Former Israeli government official Daniel Levy, who is currently in charge of the US/Middle East Project, claimed that without significant external pressure, Israel is unlikely to implement significant ceasefire agreements, including its full withdrawal and the establishment of a technocratic Palestinian government in Gaza.