US Announces Phase Two of Gaza Ceasefire Agreement

US Announces Launch of Phase Two Plan for Gaza Ceasefire

The US has announced the launch of phase two of its plan to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with a focus on demilitarization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction. Hamas leaders and representatives of other Palestinian factions are currently engaged in talks in Cairo, Egypt.

As part of this plan, 20-point goals were established as the basis for a ceasefire agreement reached three months ago. Since then, progress has been made in some areas, but significant challenges remain.

The daily number of Israeli attacks on Gaza has decreased since the start of the ceasefire, with at least 451 Palestinians killed and 1,251 injured since October 10. However, the majority of these casualties have occurred in recent weeks.

Under the ceasefire agreement, Hamas released all 20 living Israeli captives in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, Israel has not yet released all of the agreed-upon prisoners, including women and child prisoners. Additionally, several doctors, including Dr Hussam Abu Safia, have been held by Israel despite being part of the prisoner exchange.

As planned, Israel was to withdraw its troops from an area dubbed the “yellow line”, but instead, Israeli forces have expanded their control over Gaza, forcing Palestinians into smaller clusters. Large-scale demolitions of neighborhoods and surrounding areas near the yellow line have also taken place.

The ceasefire stipulated that full aid would be immediately sent into the Gaza Strip, but only 23,019 trucks entered Gaza between October 10, 2025, and January 9, 2026, averaging 255 trucks per day. Israel has restricted essential food items, including meat, dairy, and vegetables, while allowing non-nutritious foodstuffs.

Several international organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, Oxfam, and the Norwegian Refugee Council, have been banned from operating in Gaza due to Israeli restrictions.

Source: Al Jazeera