The Rafah crossing, which connects the Gaza Strip to Egypt, was reopened almost a week ago, after being closed for almost two years amid the war. Now, many hope that United States President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in the territory will continue.
But difficult questions remain unanswered, including whether Hamas will disarm.
Trump’s plan, now in its second phase, has been undermined by repeated , as well as resistance by Hamas fighters to hand over their weapons.
Israeli officials say they are preparing for a return to war if the group refuses to lay down their arms.
See below what we know about Trump’s Gaza plan and next steps.
What is Trump’s plan for Gaza?
In September, Trump outlined a 20-point plan for an initial truce, followed by steps toward a broader resolution.
The plan ultimately envisages the disarmament of Hamas and its complete absence of government power in Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and a broad reconstruction of the territory under international supervision.
The document received great support on the international stage, although the parties have not yet reached a complete agreement on all its points.
On October 9, it covered the first phase of the plan.
These included the suspension of fighting, the release of all hostages still being held in Gaza in exchange for thousands of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces, an increase in humanitarian aid deliveries, and the reopening of
Trump’s plan was also endorsed by a United Nations Security Council resolution, which authorized a transitional government body and an international stabilization force in Gaza.
What is the current situation in Gaza?
The ceasefire came into effect on October 10 and ended large-scale fighting, although the clashes did not completely cease.
Gaza health authorities say at least 488 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since October 10, and the Israeli Army says four soldiers have been killed by fighters in that period.
Israeli forces have retreated and suspended ground attacks, but still control 53% of Gaza, including ruined cities along the Israeli and Egyptian borders, where they have demolished the remaining buildings and ordered residents to leave.
This means that almost all of Gaza’s more than 2 million inhabitants are now confined to a small strip of territory on the coast, where Hamas has regained control. Most residents live in damaged buildings or makeshift tents.
Palestinian groups and aid agencies say Israel is still not allowing supplies into Gaza at the rate agreed in the first phase of the deal. Israel, for its part, claims to be fulfilling these commitments.
Another point currently is that armed anti-Hamas Palestinian groups have established bases in areas of Gaza controlled by Israel; Hamas considers them collaborators without popular support.
The two sides have shown little sign that they will reduce their differences over measures to be taken in the next phase, which calls for the disarmament of Hamas, the withdrawal of more Israeli troops and the deployment of peacekeepers.
What is expected in the second phase of the ceasefire?
Despite major differences between Israel and Hamas, they announced the creation of a committee of Palestinian technocrats to manage Gaza.
They will be overseen by a “Peace Council” made up of foreign dignitaries led by US President Donald Trump, which he initially proposed to deal with the war in Gaza and which he has since said will also address other conflicts.
The second phase of the plan also includes , in exchange for the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops.
The group is believed to still possess rockets, which several diplomats estimate number in the hundreds. He is also estimated to possess thousands of small arms, including rifles.
Hamas recently agreed to discuss disarmament with other Palestinian factions and mediators, sources said.
However, two group officials told the Reuters news agency that neither the US nor the mediators had presented the group with any detailed or concrete disarmament proposal.
Two Israeli officials told Reuters that the armed forces were preparing to resume the war if Hamas did not hand over its weapons and that they did not expect the Palestinian group to disarm without the use of force.
The group is also seeking to incorporate its 10,000 police officers into the new technocratic government in Gaza, according to sources, a demand Israel opposes.
What other issues have not yet been agreed upon?
An international stabilization force aims to guarantee security and peace inside Gaza. However, its composition, function and mandate are still undefined.
The Palestinian Authority, which is internationally recognized and exercises limited self-government in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, was expected to implement unspecified reforms before definitively assuming a role in Gaza. But the details have not yet been released.
Plans to finance and oversee the reconstruction of Gaza have not yet been developed.
Donald Trump’s son-in-law, , with computer-generated images of gleaming residential towers, data centers and industrial zones.
However, the plan did not address property rights or compensation for Palestinians who lost their homes, businesses and livelihoods during the war, nor did it specify where displaced Palestinians could live during reconstruction.
Many Israelis and Palestinians suspect that Trump’s plan will never be fully realized and that the frozen conflict will continue indefinitely.
