Trump Pushes Ahead With Gaza Ceasefire Plan as Tensions Deepen and Israeli Forces Hold Their Ground

President Donald Trump is pushing to advance his Gaza ceasefire plan into its second and most complex stage, even as Israeli forces tighten their positions inside the devastated territory and key elements of the agreement remain unresolved.

With the remains of all but one deceased hostage recovered, phase one of the 20-point deal is close to completion. But international mediators warn the fragile two-month-old ceasefire is “at a critical moment,” strained by rising mistrust, political pressure, and renewed violence. Nearly 400 Palestinians have been killed since the truce began, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, while Israel reports continued attacks by isolated Hamas cells.

A Plan Stuck Between Progress and Paralysis

The next phase disarmament of Hamas, reconstruction of Gaza, and the creation of a post-war governing structure remains largely undefined. Central to the proposal is Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace,” a leadership body he vows will be “one of the most legendary boards ever.”

But beneath the public optimism, deep divides remain. Washington wants to move quickly, while Israel insists no major steps can come before the last hostage is accounted for and as long as Hamas militants remain entrenched in pockets of the Israeli-controlled south.

Qatar, Egypt, and Norway have warned that the ceasefire risks collapsing altogether. “What we have now is a pause,” Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said, urging urgency before the window closes.

Disarmament Without a Path, Reconstruction Without Access

A cornerstone of the deal fully disarming Hamas remains without a workable plan. Hamas leaders have signaled openness to storing or freezing weapons, but Israel has rejected anything short of full decommissioning. Meanwhile the international security force envisioned in the agreement exists only on paper; not a single nation has formally committed troops.

On the ground, Israeli forces have announced they will remain along the so-called “yellow line” inside Gaza, calling it a new defensive frontier. More than half of the Strip remains under Israeli control, complicating humanitarian access and raising alarm among regional partners.

Disputes over the Rafah crossing have further stalled progress. Although the ceasefire required its reopening, Israel has allowed only outbound movement for Palestinians drawing condemnation from Arab and Muslim nations, who say the policy risks forced displacement.

A Future Still Out of Reach

Behind the scenes, U.S. officials are scrambling to finalize the framework for Gaza’s future governance. The Board of Peace, an international oversight mechanism, and a Palestinian technocratic committee are all under discussion. Long-term plans call for a reformed Palestinian Authority to eventually administer Gaza an idea Israel has already rejected.

“Every step affects Gaza’s future,” an Egyptian mediator said. “And neither side is ready to pay the political price to make a final decision.”

For now, the ceasefire holds but only barely. And as Gaza’s families continue to navigate fear, loss, and uncertainty, the political negotiations shaping their future remain trapped in a fragile balance between hope and collapse.