Gaza Ceasefire at "Critical Moment" as Mediators Push for Second Phase

The Gaza ceasefire has reached a "critical moment" as its initial phase concludes, Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani announced on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at the Doha Forum. International mediators are intensely working to advance the deal to its second phase, aiming for a more comprehensive resolution to the two-year conflict.

timesofisrael.com reported, A significant hurdle remains the return of the last Israeli hostage's remains, a key component of the first phase of the agreement. Reports from The Washington Post and The Jerusalem Post confirm that only one Israeli hostage, police Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, is still held by militants, following the recent identification and return of Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak's remains.

Prime Minister Al Thani clarified that the current cessation of hostilities should be viewed as a "pause" rather than a full ceasefire. He emphasized that a complete ceasefire necessitates a total withdrawal of Israeli forces, restoration of stability in Gaza, and unrestricted movement for its population, conditions not yet met, as reported by Al Jazeera.

washingtonpost.com noted, Mediating nations, including the United States, Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt, are collaboratively shaping the trajectory for the next stage of the peace plan. This concerted effort seeks to solidify the fragile truce and address the underlying issues of the protracted conflict, according to statements from the Doha Forum.

The proposed second phase, championed by U.S. President Donald Trump, is expected to include the deployment of an International Stabilization Force and the establishment of a technocratic Palestinian government. Axios reported on Thursday, December 4, that President Trump is anticipated to announce these developments before Christmas.

aljazeera.com reported, Despite the ongoing diplomatic efforts, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with widespread destruction and a looming famine. The UN has indicated that 80% of Gaza's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, and humanitarian aid access continues to face significant challenges, as detailed by the Disasters Emergency Committee.

Furthermore, the ceasefire has been marred by continued violence. Al Jazeera reported that over 360 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the truce began on October 10, 2025, with numerous violations of the agreement recorded by the Government Media Office in Gaza.

• timesofisrael.com noted, Background and Initial Ceasefire Terms: The current ceasefire agreement, which took effect on October 10, 2025, was brokered by the U.S. and involved a 20-point proposal aimed at ending the conflict. Its first phase primarily focused on halting hostilities, facilitating humanitarian aid, and exchanging hostages for Palestinian prisoners. This initial phase saw Israel withdraw its forces to a "Yellow Line" within Gaza's borders, and Hamas released living hostages and the remains of most deceased ones.

• The Remaining Hostage and Identification Challenges: The completion of the first phase hinges on the return of the last Israeli hostage's remains, identified as police Master Sgt. Ran Gvili. Recent efforts to return remains have faced identification challenges; for instance, on December 2, forensic findings handed over by Hamas were determined not to belong to either Gvili or Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak, whose remains were later identified and returned.

• washingtonpost.com reported, Vision for the Second Phase: The second phase of the peace plan, as outlined by U.S. officials and reported by Axios, envisions a significant shift in Gaza's governance and security. It includes the deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF), a further withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the establishment of a technocratic Palestinian government that excludes Hamas. This phase is intended to pave the way for Gaza's reconstruction.

• Challenges to Hamas Disarmament: A major point of contention for the second phase is the disarmament of Hamas. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, speaking at the Doha Forum, suggested that a credible Palestinian civil administration and a vetted police force must be in place before Hamas can be expected to disarm. While Hamas has indicated openness to ceding governance, it has resisted relinquishing its weapons, a stance that complicates the transition.

• aljazeera.com noted, Humanitarian Crisis and Ceasefire Violations: Despite the ceasefire, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains catastrophic. The UN's OCHA reported that humanitarian access approvals are around 45% of requests, and fuel imports meet less than 40% of operational needs. The Disasters Emergency Committee highlighted that 80% of Gaza's buildings are destroyed or damaged, and famine conditions persist in some areas, with over 400 malnutrition-related deaths confirmed in 2025.

• Broader Regional Implications and West Bank Concerns: Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani underscored that a lasting ceasefire in Gaza cannot be achieved in isolation from the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He stressed the importance of addressing the situation in the West Bank and fulfilling Palestinian national aspirations, noting that the ceasefire agreement would be incomplete without these considerations.

• timesofisrael.com reported, International Governance and Oversight: The proposed "Board of Peace," to be chaired by U.S. President Donald Trump, will oversee Gaza's reconstruction under a two-year, renewable UN mandate. This body, expected to include approximately 10 Arab and Western leaders, along with an international executive board, aims to provide stability and facilitate the rebuilding process. However, the exact composition and mandate of the International Stabilization Force remain subjects of intense negotiation.