INTERNACIONAL
Trump launches phase 2 of Gaza peace plan — but Hamas disarmament remains the real test
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President Donald Trump’s administration formally launched the second phase of its plan to end the war between Israel and Hamas this week, shifting from a ceasefire framework toward a post-ceasefire political and security phase for Gaza. The announcement immediately raised a central question that now dominates expert analysis: who will actually disarm Hamas.
U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff announced Wednesday that phase two is underway, describing it as a transition «from ceasefire to demilitarization, technocratic governance and reconstruction.» He warned that Hamas must fully comply with its obligations under the deal, including the immediate return of the final deceased Israeli hostage.
«The U.S. expects Hamas to comply fully with its obligations, including the immediate return of the final deceased hostage,» Witkoff wrote on X. «Failure to do so will bring serious consequences.»
As Washington announced the move to Phase Two before Ran Gvili’s return, his family, other hostage families, residents of Gaza border communities, police officers, and captivity survivor Agam Berger gathered Friday at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, urging that Gvili, who has been held captive for 833 days, be brought home before any transition to the next phase.
TRUMP FACES MIDDLE EAST TEST AS NETANYAHU BALKS AT ERDOGAN’S GAZA TROOP HOPES
U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff acknowledges applause by members of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem on Oct. 13, 2025. (Saul Loeb / POOL / AFP=via Getty Images)
President Donald Trump reinforced the administration’s announcement on Thursday, writing on Truth Social that the United States had «OFFICIALLY entered the next phase of Gaza’s 20-Point Peace Plan,» following Witkoff’s remarks. Trump said that since the ceasefire, his team had helped deliver «RECORD LEVELS of Humanitarian Aid to Gaza, reaching Civilians at HISTORIC speed and scale,» adding that «even the United Nations has acknowledged this achievement as UNPRECEDENTED.»
Trump wrote that these developments had «set the stage for this next phase,» which he said would include backing a newly appointed Palestinian technocratic government, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, to govern the territory during a transitional period. Trump described himself as chairman of the Board of Peace and said the committee would be supported by the board’s high representative.
Ran Gvili was hailed a hero for his actions in fighting back the terrorists while injured, saving men, women, and children during the Oct. 7 terror attack. Gvili’s body remains held captive in Gaza by Palestinian terrorists. (Courtesy: Bring Them Home Now)
Trump again warned that Hamas must «IMMEDIATELY honor its commitments, including the return of the final body to Israel, and proceed without delay to full Demilitarization,» adding, «They can do this the easy way, or the hard way.» Trump concluded the post by saying, «The people of Gaza have suffered long enough. The time is NOW. PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.»
The new phase envisions the establishment of a transitional technocratic Palestinian administration in Gaza, while the United States works with Egypt and other regional partners to ensure compliance and stability. Yet the announcement offered few operational details, particularly regarding how Hamas would be disarmed after more than two decades of military control in the enclave.
MIDDLE EAST OFFICIALS LOOK TOWARD SECOND PHASE OF ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASEFIRE WITH TWO HOSTAGES LEFT IN GAZA
Palestinians make their way with belongings as they flee their homes after Israeli air strikes in the northern Gaza Strip on May 16, 2025. (Mahmoud Issa/Reuters)
France backs ceasefire, aid and long-term demilitarization
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Jérôme Bonnafont, France’s ambassador to the United Nations, called the ceasefire an «incredible achievement» and said phase two could help lay the groundwork for peace without Hamas.
«The Trump plan is establishing a ceasefire, which is an incredible achievement,» Bonnafont said. «It has to go to a massive reopening of humanitarian aid, and it is going to be announced within a couple of days.»
He said the next stage includes an international stabilization force that would support reconstruction and contribute to Hamas’s disarmament.
«That would help disarm Hamas, and that will help the Palestinian Authority return and democratically restart the management of Gaza as part of the Palestinian territory,» he said.
Bonnafont emphasized that France views Israel’s security as a priority, particularly in the face of regional threats. «We have always been on the side of Israel when it comes, for example, to the threats by Iran to the existence of Israel,» he said.
At the same time, he said France believes long-term security depends on the creation of a demilitarized Palestinian state living in peace with Israel. «We believe that security for Israel in the long term comes with the creation of Palestine,» Bonnafont said. «A Palestine that has to be independent but demilitarized and in peace with Israel.»
The United Nations also welcomed the announcement of phase two, calling it «an important step» while emphasizing adherence to international law and existing U.N. resolutions.
ISRAEL SHUTS DOOR ON TURKEY IN GAZA AS TRUMP PRAISES ERDOGAN, PLAYS DOWN CLASH
Destroyed buildings are pictured in the west of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on Feb. 11, 2025. (Bashar Taleb/AFP via Getty Images)
A plan advances, but the hardest problem remains
Israeli and U.S. security analysts broadly agree that phase two cannot succeed without addressing Hamas’s weapons and coercive power.
Dr. Avner Golov, vice president of the Israeli policy institute Mind Israel, told Fox News Digital that, «The central challenge is Hamas’s demilitarization,» Golov said. «The only actors truly willing to dismantle Hamas’s military capabilities are the Israelis, and as long as Hamas remains armed, there should be no rebuilding and no IDF withdrawal from the current defensive line.»
«In the end, there must be a credible military threat from the IDF against Hamas,» he said. «Without such a threat, I see no chance that Hamas will voluntarily disarm.»
Golov also pointed to what he described as a gap between diplomatic commitments and action by regional actors. «The key test is Turkey and Qatar,» he said. «They signed a document committing to Hamas’s disarmament, but since then they have not demonstrated real commitment to implementing it.»
US SEEKS UN AUTHORIZATION FOR GAZA INTERNATIONAL FORCE LASTING THROUGH 2027 UNDER TRUMP PLAN
President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi hold the signed agreement of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Oct. 13, 2025. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters )
Reconstruction without security seen as unrealistic
Jonathan Ruhe, a fellow for American Strategy at the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), argued that phase two presents a detailed reconstruction framework but avoids the most politically difficult decision.
«The peace plan offers a detailed framework for rebuilding Gaza and promoting better governance,» Ruhe said. «But it’s silent on the ‘who’ and ‘how’ of disarming Hamas.»
«As long as Hamas can interrupt aid distribution, intimidate and kill Gazans who want a better future, and threaten renewed war with Israel, international investment in reconstruction and reform will be near zero,» he said.
While Trump’s plan calls for Hamas to disarm voluntarily, Ruhe also said Hamas has little reason to do so. «Hamas refuses because it thinks it won the war,» he said. «Now there is an urgent need to decide who will disarm Hamas forcefully.»
Ruhe noted that a U.N. Security Council resolution authorizes an International Stabilization Force to disarm Hamas, but he said no country has been willing to put troops in that role. Instead, he said the Trump plan outlines a more limited mission for international forces, focused on guarding aid sites and preventing Hamas resupply.
«Trump and Netanyahu both said Israel might have to disarm Hamas,» Ruhe said. «But the IDF ground forces need to rest and refit after two years of grueling combat, and a major offensive risks blowing up the international coalition needed for phase two.»
He suggested that well-vetted private military contractors, overseen by U.S. security officials rather than U.S. Central Command, could play a role, though he acknowledged such a move would involve «hard fighting.»
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The IDF announced that as part of the ceasefire agreement and in accordance with the directive of the political echelon, IDF troops under the Southern Command have begun marking the Yellow Line in the Gaza Strip to establish tactical clarity on the ground. (IDF)
A narrowing window
Despite diplomatic momentum, analysts interviewed by Fox News Digital cautioned that time may be working against the plan. «The status quo favors Hamas as it continues tightening its grip over its half of Gaza,» Ruhe said. «Announcing the Board of Peace serves important diplomatic purposes, but it won’t mean much on the ground unless and until Hamas is disarmed.»
Golov echoed that assessment. «As long as Hamas remains armed, there should be no rebuilding and no IDF withdrawal from the current defensive line,» he said.
hamas,israel,donald trump,middle east foreign policy,middle east
INTERNACIONAL
Una madre le inventaba enfermedades a su hijo, lo obligaba a usar silla de ruedas y hasta lo sometió a cirugías innecesarias
La policía del condado de Tarrant, Texas, detuvo a Kaitlyn Rose Laura, una mujer de 31 años acusada de someter a su hijo de tres años a procedimientos médicos innecesarios, incluyendo la colocación quirúrgica de una sonda de alimentación que el menor no necesitaba.
La investigación, que se extendió entre 2022 y 2026, reveló un caso estremecedor de abuso infantil médico, conocido como Síndrome de Munchausen.
Según los documentos judiciales, Laura inventó síntomas y enfermedades para su hijo, como convulsiones, trastornos graves y hasta parálisis cerebral, que los médicos descartaron tras múltiples estudios.
Cómo se destapó el caso
El escándalo salió a la luz cuando el personal médico del Cook Children’s Medical Center alertó a las autoridades sobre la posibilidad de que el niño estuviera siendo víctima de abuso.
Según una declaración jurada de arresto obtenida por The Dallas Morning News , CBS News y NBC 5 Dallas–Fort Worth, Laura afirmó ante el equipo de gastroenterología del Cook Children’s Medical Center en Fort Worth que su hijo tenía “problemas para comer”.
Kaitlyn Rose Laura fue detenida y acusada de maltrato. (Foto: gentileza People).
Los profesionales notaron que, cuando el menor estuvo internado sin la presencia de su madre, pudo comer y beber normalmente, sin mostrar ninguno de los síntomas que Laura describía.
Además, intentó ponerse de pie mientras su madre insistía en que usara una silla de ruedas, según informó The Dallas Morning News .
A pesar de las advertencias, la mujer continuó buscando tratamientos innecesarios en otros hospitales. El calvario del niño incluyó la colocación de una nueva sonda y la insistencia de Laura en que necesitaba nutrición intravenosa y hasta cuidados paliativos.
Según The Dallas Morning News, el presunto maltrato médico del niño fue denunciado por primera vez a los Servicios de Protección Infantil en junio de 2025, después de que los médicos determinaran que las afecciones médicas que Laura afirmaba que tenía su hijo eran falsas o exageradas, y que sus tratamientos eran innecesarios. Kaitlyn Rose Laura sometió a su hijo a decenas de procedimientos inútiles. (Foto: gentileza El Heraldo).
Además, una maestra también denunció a la mujer en octubre de 2025. La educadora afirmó que el niño comía alimentos sólidos y “se desplazaba por el campus de forma independiente sin usar su andador ni su silla de ruedas”.
Finalmente, en febrero de 2026, el menor fue retirado de la custodia de su madre y trasladado a una familia de acogida, donde, según las autoridades, comenzó a recuperarse.
Las acusaciones y el trasfondo
Laura fue arrestada el 25 de marzo por el Departamento del Sheriff del condado de Tarrant y enfrenta cargos por lesiones graves a un menor. La fianza total fue de 125.000 dólares, que pagó para recuperar la libertad el 31 de marzo.
El sheriff Bill Waybourn calificó el caso como “un crimen horroroso” y aseguró que la mujer actuó de manera “malvada y tortuosa” con su hijo. “Ese bebé fue cortado, le pusieron tubos, le dieron drogas y narcóticos que no necesitaba”, sostuvo Waybourn, quien también confirmó que el niño “está floreciendo” con su nueva familia.
“Esta persona narcisista, que busca el placer de obtener compasión por tener un hijo frágil, es lo que vemos desarrollarse ante nuestros ojos”, dijo el sheriff sobre la mujer.
Además de los cargos por abuso, la investigación apunta a un posible fraude a Medicaid y a la existencia de al menos tres cuentas de GoFundMe creadas por Laura para recaudar dinero con las enfermedades inventadas de su hijo.
La policía solicita ahora a cualquier persona que haya donado fondos a Laura, o que haya intercambiado mensajes de texto con ella sobre la salud de su hijo, que se comunique
Qué es el Síndrome de Munchausen por poder
El Síndrome de Munchausen por poder —actualmente denominado Trastorno Facticio impuesto a otro— es una forma de abuso en la que un cuidador, generalmente un padre o madre, fabrica o provoca síntomas físicos o psicológicos en un menor para obtener atención, compasión o validación de médicos y la comunidad.
Este tipo de casos son difíciles de detectar porque el abusador suele mostrarse como un padre extremadamente dedicado y conocedor de temas médicos, lo que puede llevar a que el sistema judicial y sanitario pase por alto el abuso durante años.
Entre las señales de alerta, los investigadores destacan la creación de múltiples campañas de recaudación de fondos en línea y la insistencia en tratamientos médicos complejos sin justificación clínica.
Estados Unidos
INTERNACIONAL
US embassies in Bahrain, Egypt issue warnings as Iran threatens universities across Middle East
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The U.S. Embassy in Bahrain told American citizens in the country to shelter in place on Tuesday, as the embassy in Egypt issued its own caution to Americans amid threats that Iran and its terror proxies may try to target American universities across the Middle East.
The embassy in Manama directed all U.S. government employees, along with all other Americans in the country, to shelter in a secure structure and stay away from windows until further notice.
«Iran and its aligned terrorist militias may intend to target American universities in Bahrain,» the embassy said. «Iran has specifically threatened American universities across the Middle East.»
The embassy provided instructions to those Americans who wish to leave the Middle East.
TRUMP WARNS ‘WHOLE CIVILIZATION WILL DIE TONIGHT,’ AS IRANIAN OFFICIAL URGES HUMAN CHAINS AROUND POWER PLANTS
A general view shows people crowding the Central Market for shopping during the final days of Ramadan in Manama, Bahrain, on March 18, 2026. (Ayman Yaqoob/Anadolu via Getty Images)
«If you want to leave the Middle East, the U.S. government is ready to assist by providing you the latest information about the departure options available,» it said.
A view of damage in Manama, Bahrain, after a kamikaze drone strike during Iran’s retaliatory attack on March 1, 2026. (Stringer/Anadolu/via Getty Images)
For those who wish to remain and shelter in place, the embassy reminded them to have a supply of food, water, medications and other essential items.
VANCE SAYS IRAN HAS ‘2 PATHWAYS’ AS 12-HOUR DEADLINE LOOMS, PRAYS US ON ‘GOD’S SIDE’ IN NIXING NUCLEAR THREAT
«We urge all Americans to remain vigilant, follow local authorities’ instructions, and review the latest guidance from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate,» the embassy said.
The headquarters of the U.S. 5th Fleet in Manama, Bahrain. (Petty Officer 2nd Class Adelola Tinubu/U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet )
Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Cairo advised U.S. citizens to closely monitor the news for regional developments.
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«Egyptian authorities generally offer effective security protection,» the embassy said. «However, extremists and Iranian-aligned actors have expressed interest in planning and carrying out attacks in the region. Iran and its aligned terrorist militias may intend to target universities in the Middle East. Iran has specifically threatened American universities across the Middle East.
middle east, war with iran, iran, world
INTERNACIONAL
Vance says Iran has ‘2 pathways’ as 12-hour deadline looms, prays US on ‘God’s side’ in nixing nuclear threat
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Vice President JD Vance said that Iran has «two pathways» it can take regarding the conclusion of the war as President Donald Trump’s 12-hour deadline is looming Tuesday for the regime to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on its power plants and bridges.
Vance, speaking in Hungary, also said he is praying that the United States is on «God’s side» in its pursuit to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
«There are two pathways that this thing is ultimately going to end. First of all, the United States has largely accomplished its military objectives,» Vance said. «There are still some things that we’d like to do, for example, on Iranian ability to manufacture weapons, that we’d like to do a little bit more work on militarily. But fundamentally, the military objectives of the United States have been completed.»
«I think there really are two pathways, and I’m oversimplifying this a little bit, but I think pathway one is where the Iranians decide they’re going to be a normal country. They’re not going to fund terrorism anymore. They’re going to be part of the world system of commerce and exchange,» Vance continued. «And that’s going to mean much better things for them economically. It’s going to mean better things for the peace and safety of the world. It’s going to mean a lot of good things for a lot of people all over the planet. That’s option A.»
LIVE UPDATES: TRUMP DEADLINE FOR IRAN TICKS CLOSER AS ISLAMIC REPUBLIC REJECTS TEMPORARY CEASEFIRE
Vice President JD Vance holds a joint press conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest, Hungary, on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (Jonathan Ernst/AP)
«Option B is that the Iranians don’t come to the table and they stay committed to terrorism, to terrorizing their neighbors, not just Israel but of course their Arab neighbors too. Then the economic situation in Iran is going to continue to be very, very bad. And frankly, it will probably get worse,» the vice president said.
«The president also has been very clear that while the Iranians are trying to exact as much economic cost through the Strait of Hormuz, the United States has the ability to extract much greater economic costs on Iran than Iran has an ability to extract costs on us or on our friends in the world,» Vance also said. «So I hope that they’re smart. The president has set a deadline for about 12 hours from now, and the United States, we’re going to find out. But there’s going to be a lot of negotiation between now and then, and I’m hopeful that it gets to a good resolution.»
HEGSETH TIES IRAN RESCUE TO EASTER STORY AND JESUS CHRIST: ‘A PILOT REBORN’
U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft «have been used to strike Iranian naval vessels during Operation Epic Fury,» CENTCOM said Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (U.S. Central Command)
Vance told reporters Tuesday that his attitude toward military conflict has been to pray that «we are on God’s side.»
«We’re doing this because we don’t want a regime that has committed acts of terrorism to have the world’s most dangerous weapon. Because that would mean a lot of innocent people dead,» Vance said about the war. «I certainly hope that God agrees with the decision that Iran shouldn’t have a nuclear weapon, but I’ll keep praying about it.»
Vance also accused Iran of unleashing «acts of economic terrorism» that are obstructing the free flow of gas and oil around the world.
A satellite image shows the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, vital for global energy supply. (Amanda Macias/Fox News Digital)
«So they’ve got to know, we’ve got tools in our toolkit that we so far haven’t decided to use. The president of the United States can decide to use them, and he will decide to use them if the Iranians don’t change their course of conduct,» he warned.
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Vance also confirmed Tuesday that «we were going to strike some military targets on Kharg Island» and «I believe we have done so.»
middle east, nuclear proliferation, war with iran, iran, jd vance
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