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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
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MANCHESTER, N.H. – Former Transportation Secy. Pete Buttigieg tops the list of potential 2028 Democratic presidential contenders in a new poll conducted in New Hampshire, which has traditionally held the first primary in the race for the White House for over a century.
Twenty percent of Democratic primary voters in New Hampshire said they would vote for Buttigieg if the 2028 presidential nomination contest was held today. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York were tied for second at 15%, with former Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democrats’ 2024 nominee, and Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona each at 10%, with everyone else in single digits.
The University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll was released Thursday, a couple of hours before Buttigieg arrived in New Hampshire to campaign with Democrats running in this year’s midterm elections.
Asked about the survey by Fox News Digital, Buttigieg noted,» I’m not on any ballot right now.»
EARLY MOVES ALREADY WELL UNDERWAY IN 2028 WHITE HOUSE RACE
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg greets patrons during a stop at a restaurant in Manchester, New Hampshire, on Feb. 19, 2026 (Paul Steinhauser/Fox News )
«Obviously it feels good to be well received,» added Buttigieg, who made plenty of friends in the Granite State as he came in close second in the 2020 New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, slightly behind Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
Buttigieg’s stop in New Hampshire was his third in an early voting state in the Democratic nominating calendar since stepping down as Transportation secretary following the end of former President Biden’s administration, following trips last year to South Carolina and Iowa. While he mostly avoids 2028 talk, Buttigieg has said he would consider what he brings «to the table» in regards to another White House run.
As he kicked off a three-day swing in key New England swing state, Buttigieg teamed up with Rep. Chris Pappas, the clear frontrunner for the Democratic Senate nomination in the race to succeed retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a fellow Democrat. Shaheen’s seat is a top GOP target in the midterms.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, center, and Rep. Chris Pappas of New Hampshire, a Democratic Senate candidate, campaign in Manchester, N.H. on Feb. 19, 2026 (Paul Steinhauser/Fox News)
Later Thursday, Buttigieg joined the state’s other Democratic House member, Rep. Maggie Goodlander. And he was scheduled to hold more events on Friday and Saturday, including a grassroots mobilization event that was expected to draw some top New Hampshire supporters from his 2020 presidential campaign.
Buttigieg is heading next week to battleground Nevada, and a source familiar told Fox News Digital Buttigieg has plans to campaign for candidates in Ohio, Georgia and Pennsylvania in the weeks ahead.
«I’m a big believer in going everywhere across the media landscape and geographically. Some are well known places on the political map. Some are a little bit off the beaten path. All of them deserve attention,» Buttigieg told Fox News Digital.
NEWSOM’S UPCOMING STOP IN KEY PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY STATE SPARKS MORE 2028 BUZZ
He added that he’ll «continue to go wherever I think I can be useful in elevating attention to issues and working with candidates I believe in and Chris Pappas is a great example of a candidate I am proud to be supporting and speaking up for.»
Newsom will be next up in New Hampshire.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during an election night press conference at a California Democratic Party office Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (Godofredo A. Vásquez/AP Photo)
The California governor’s tour for his new book, «Young Man in a Hurry,» will bring him to Portsmouth, New Hampshire on March 5. It will be his first stop in the state in two years.
Newsom grabbed headlines this past weekend, as he was one of a handful of potential Democratic presidential contenders to speak at the high-profile Munich Security Conference in Germany.
TRUMP HAMMERS AOC MUNICH STUMBLES AS ‘NOT A GOOD LOOK FOR THE UNITED STATES’
Ocasio-Cortez was among the other Democrats in Munich. But the progressive champion, who has long been laser focused on affordability and other domestic issues, has faced intense criticism for nearly a week over a gaffe in Munich, when she asked during a panel discussion whether the U.S. should send troops to defend Taiwan from a possible invasion by China.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., attends the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (Liesa Johannssen/Reuters)
The four-term lawmaker appeared to stall for nearly 20 seconds before offering that the U.S. should try to avoid reaching a clash with China over Taiwan.
Social media posts on the right slammed her for offering up a world salad.
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But it wasn’t just Republicans who critiqued Ocasio-Cortez.
A veteran Democratic strategist who asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely told Fox News Digital, «It is abundantly clear that AOC is not ready for prime time given her remarks in Europe.»
pete buttigieg,gavin newsom,alexandria ocasio cortez,democrats elections,presidential primaries,new hampshire
INTERNACIONAL
NATO country orders citizens to immediately evacuate Iran, warning ‘possibility of a conflict is very real’
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NATO country and U.S. ally Poland warned its citizens Thursday to immediately flee Iran, with its prime minister saying the «possibility of a conflict is very real.»
The remarks from Donald Tusk come as the U.S. has been bolstering its military presence in the Middle East, with tensions escalating over Iran’s nuclear program.
«Please leave Iran immediately and under no circumstances travel to this country,» Tusk said Thursday in the town of Zielonka outside of Warsaw, according to Turkey’s Anadolu Agency. «I do not want to alarm anyone, but we all know what I am referring to. The possibility of a conflict is very real.»
«In a few, a dozen, or several dozen hours, evacuation may no longer be possible,» Tusk reportedly added.
RUSSIA URGES IRAN, ‘ALL PARTIES’ IN MIDDLE EAST TO SHOW RESTRAINT AMID US MILITARY BUILDUP
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, center, followed by Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, watches an open test of unmanned weapon systems conducted by the Polish Armaments Group at the Military Institute of Armament Technology training ground in Zielonka, near Warsaw, Poland, on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (Aleksander Kalka/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, and its strike group are moving from the Caribbean toward the Middle East.
The move would place two aircraft carriers and their accompanying warships in the region.
WORLD’S LARGEST AIRCRAFT CARRIER HEADS TO MIDDLE EAST AS IRAN NUCLEAR TENSIONS SPIKE DRAMATICALLY
The world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, was seen in the North Sea during the NATO Neptune Strike 2025 exercise in September 2025. (Jonathan Klein/AFP via Getty Images)
The USS Abraham Lincoln and three guided-missile destroyers arrived in the Middle East more than two weeks ago.
On Wednesday, U.S. Central Command posted photos showing F/A-18 Super Hornets landing on the decks of the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea.
F/A-18 Super Hornets from Strike Fighter Squadron 14 land on the deck of USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea in this image released Wednesday, Feb. 18, by U.S. Central Command. (U.S. Central Command)
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«When launched from a catapult on an aircraft carrier, the Super Hornet can go from a full stop to airborne in under 3 seconds,» CENTCOM said.
Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
iran,middle east,military,nato,europe,world
La Asamblea Nacional (AN, Parlamento), controlada por el chavismo, aprobó este jueves una histórica ley de amnistía propuesta por la presidenta encargada de Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, en medio de huelgas de hambre de familiares que exigen la liberación de todos los presos políticos.
La ley beneficiará a presos políticos condenados en episodios de crisis política entre 2002 y 2025 y excluye a personas que promovieron o participaron en acciones armadas o de fuerza contra los ciudadanos, la soberanía y la integridad del país.
El proyecto, aprobado por unanimidad, es denominado oficialmente Ley de Amnistía para la Convivencia Democrática. Ahora deberá ser promulgada por la mandataria interina.
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La norma aplicaría a dirigentes opositores, sindicalistas, activistas de derechos humanos, estudiantes, académicos y periodistas, entre otros, detenidos durante meses o incluso años por motivos políticos.
El Legislativo había aprobado hace dos semanas la propuesta en primera discusión. Luego sostuvo reuniones con sectores de la sociedad civil, entre ellos ONG y familiares de presos políticos.
La norma aprobada este jueves podría beneficiar a dos argentinos detenidos, el gendarme Nahuel Gallo y el abogado Germán Giuliani.
La ley excluirá a las personas “que se encuentren o puedan ser procesadas o condenadas por promover” acciones armadas contra el país, según un artículo que aprobó el Parlamento este jueves.
“Estarán igualmente excluidos de la amnistía prevista en ley las personas que se encuentren o puedan ser procesadas o condenadas por promover, instigar, solicitar, invocar, favorecer, facilitar, financiar o participar en acciones armadas o de fuerza contra el pueblo, la soberanía y la integridad territorial de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela por parte de Estados, corporaciones o personas extranjeras”, reza el texto.
Dirigentes opositores como María Corina Machado o Leopoldo López fueron señalados por el chavismo de pedir invasiones a Venezuela, que fue bombardeada el 3 de enero por Estados Unidos.
Por qué tardó en aprobarse la amnistía
La Asamblea Nacional había aplazado la semana pasada el segundo y último debate necesario para la aprobación de la ley, al haber diferencias por un artículo que exigía a los beneficiados presentarse ante tribunales.
La ONG Acceso a la Justicia advirtió que el proyecto de ley “incurre en contradicciones fundamentales al hablar de ‘extremismo’”, con lo cual, a su juicio, “se descalifica de entrada a quienes podrían beneficiarse de la amnistía y presupone su responsabilidad penal”. Estudiantes universitarios exigen la libertad de los presos políticos en Caracas (Foto: EFE)
Por otra parte, mencionó “un claro conflicto de intereses”, ya que se atribuye la ejecución de la amnistía a los tribunales y a la Fiscalía, las mismas instituciones -señaló- que participaron en la “represión masiva e indiscriminada”, según denunciaron organismos como la Misión de Determinación de los Hechos de la ONU.
La amnistía, tal como está planteada, cubre casos desde 1999, lo que abarca los 27 años de Gobiernos del chavismo.
Sin embargo, su artículo 6 la limita a diez períodos específicos de coyunturas políticas, entre el golpe de Estado de abril de 2002 contra el fallecido presidente Hugo Chávez (1999-2013) hasta las protestas desatadas tras la controvertida elección presidencial del 28 de julio de 2024, lo que dejaría por fuera a varias personas que se consideran presos políticos.
Leé también: Escándalo en el Reino Unido: detuvieron al príncipe Andrés en medio de las acusaciones por el caso Epstein
La propuesta de ley se enmarca en lo que la presidenta encargada denomina un “nuevo momento político” para el país y en medio de un proceso de excarcelaciones anunciado el pasado 8 de enero, cinco días después de la captura del mandatario Nicolás Maduro por parte de Estados Unidos.
El debate de la ley de amnistía trascurre cuando un grupo de mujeres familiares de presos políticos se mantienen en huelga de hambre desde el sábado pasado a las afueras de un comando policial en Caracas para exigir la liberación de sus parientes.
Un total de 644 personas permanecen detenidas en Venezuela por motivos políticos, informó recientemente la ONG Foro Penal.
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