PNN – The implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza remains shrouded in uncertainty due to the conflicting objectives and agendas of the parties involved, including the United States and the Israeli regime.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, Al Jazeera’s website published a report examining the Gaza ceasefire agreement, the provisions that have been implemented, violations committed by the Israeli regime in fulfilling its obligations, and the demands related to subsequent phases of the ceasefire, noting that there are many ambiguities surrounding the second phase of the agreement.
The report points out that the second phase is more complex and addresses the most important questions regarding the future of the resistance’s weapons, proposed international forces to be deployed in Gaza, local governance, and the reconstruction of Gaza after the genocide and widespread destruction.
Developments achieved under the agreement:
The resistance released all 21 living Israeli captives it held in the Gaza Strip.
The resistance handed over the bodies of 27 Israeli captives; however, the body of Ron Givli, the last captive killed in Gaza, has not yet been found.
The occupying forces released 1,968 Palestinian detainees, 250 of whom were serving life sentences. They have so far handed over the bodies of 345 detainees that were in their custody.
The Zionists withdrew from areas they controlled in Gaza to a line now known as the Yellow Line, but they still occupy more than 54 percent of Gaza’s territory.
The occupiers have refused to reopen the Rafah crossing in both directions as agreed, linking it to the return of the body of the last Israeli captive.
Relevant government bodies in Gaza have recorded 740 violations of the agreement by the Zionists since it was signed.
Violations of the ceasefire by the Israeli regime have led to the martyrdom of 386 civilians, the injury of 980 others, and 43 arrests.
In humanitarian terms, the Israeli regime continues to evade its commitments and has not adhered to the minimum agreed aid levels, allowing only 14,534 trucks to enter Gaza out of the 37,200 trucks stipulated in the agreement.
The Zionists strictly control the types of goods entering Gaza and have banned dozens of vital items, including basic foodstuffs, medical supplies, spare parts, and emergency materials, without any legal or humanitarian justification.
The number of fuel shipments entering Gaza has reached only 315 trucks out of the 3,000 fuel trucks that were supposed to enter.
What does the second phase include?
According to the plan proposed by US President Donald Trump and statements by American officials, the second phase is expected to include the following:
The establishment of a Peace Council, with its executive arm being an international stabilization force (peacekeeping force) under UN Security Council Resolution 3803.
The withdrawal of the Israeli army to the Red Line, reducing the area under its control to about 20 percent of the Gaza Strip.
Under the agreement, Tel Aviv would be prohibited from permanently occupying or annexing Gaza to the occupied territories.
The implementation of a plan to confront the resistance’s weapons and destroy remaining tunnels in the Gaza Strip.
The establishment of a post-war governing system consisting of an executive council made up of international figures.
The formation of a Palestinian technocratic government with local administration.
The launch of Gaza’s reconstruction plan and the removal of rubble and destruction.
Positions of the parties to the agreement:
The positions of the parties involved can be summarized as follows:
The US position:
The US president insists on completing the agreement and advancing the implementation of the second phase.
Axios reported that Trump intends to announce the transition to the second phase of the agreement before Christmas.
The US administration is pressuring for a gradual Israeli withdrawal under international supervision to what is now known as the Red Line, especially since Hamas has adhered to its commitments in the first phase.
The United States supports a gradual approach to disarming the resistance and destroying tunnels.
Washington insists on deploying an international stabilization force to assist in disarming the resistance.
The US does not oppose Turkey’s participation in the international stabilization force.
Washington’s objectives and demands:
The Trump administration seeks to implement a “successful operational model” to exploit it in electoral campaigning and regional and international approaches.
The creation of a regional coalition to normalize relations with the Israeli regime and link Gaza’s stability to the success of forming this axis.
Using the international stabilization force and the Peace Council as a platform to integrate Israel into a broader, US-led regional security system.
Eliminating international prosecution paths against the Israeli regime by replacing the “genocide and siege of Gaza” narrative with a “stability and reconstruction” narrative, in order to pressure the International Criminal Court and the United Nations and halt efforts to hold Tel Aviv accountable and investigate its war crimes.
Positions of the Israeli regime:
The Israeli cabinet is seeking to prevent entry into the second phase, evade its commitments, and limit the agreement to the first phase.
The Israeli regime refuses to move to the second phase because it would require broader withdrawals, reduced military control, and calls for the formation of a Palestinian state.
Tel Aviv has conditioned agreement to consider the main steps of the second phase on the delivery of the body of the last Israeli captive.
Netanyahu insists on disarming Hamas and destroying remaining tunnels in Gaza as a non-negotiable condition for progress in the second phase.
The occupiers reject all formulas proposed by other parties regarding Hamas’s disarmament, such as storing weapons or temporarily removing them from service.
The Israeli regime threatens direct military intervention if full disarmament is not implemented.
Israel has reservations about forming an international peacekeeping force and categorically rejects Turkey’s participation. The Israeli cabinet insists on not withdrawing from the Yellow Line inside Gaza, describing it as a new border line.
While obstructing the agreement’s implementation, Tel Aviv has announced that the Rafah crossing will remain closed until further notice and has agreed only to a one-way reopening for exits. Egypt has opposed this move, interpreting it as a prelude to the displacement of Palestinians.
The Israeli regime has committed to continuing its support for local armed groups opposed to Hamas in Gaza.
Objectives and plans of the Israeli regime:
The Israeli regime seeks to ensure its security in Gaza without the existence of genuine Palestinian sovereignty.
Dismantling the military structure of the resistance without paying a political cost.
Tel Aviv aims to deploy police forces in Gaza under strict security coordination with Israel, without advanced weapons or independent intelligence capabilities.
Israel seeks to turn Gaza into a model of “civil administration without a national project,” implemented through a technocratic committee operating under Arab and international cover but lacking Palestinian national legitimacy.
Israel insists on exercising real control over crossings and borders.
Tel Aviv wants the final say in reconstruction mechanisms and the entry of funds to control Gaza politically and security-wise.
Ultimately, the Israeli regime seeks to avoid any final political process that would lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state or a comprehensive settlement.
Positions of the Hamas movement:
Hamas outlined its positions on the second phase of the agreement through a speech by Khalil al-Hayya, head of the movement in Gaza, on the 38th anniversary of Hamas’s founding, as well as statements by other leaders.
These positions include:
Emphasizing that the top priority is completing the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, including the entry of aid and equipment needed to rebuild hospitals, health centers, and infrastructure, and reopening the Rafah crossing in both directions.
Hamas reaffirmed its commitment, along with other resistance factions, to implementing all provisions of the agreement in its various stages.
Hamas stressed that the Palestinian resistance and its weapons are a legitimate right guaranteed by international law.
The issue of the resistance’s weapons is linked to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, and the movement is ready to consider any proposal that preserves this right.
Hamas called for the complete withdrawal of Zionist occupiers from the Gaza Strip.
Hamas reaffirmed its rejection of any form of guardianship or domination over the Palestinian people and stated that the role of the Peace Council is to monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and oversee and finance Gaza’s reconstruction.
The role of international forces should be limited to maintaining the ceasefire and separating the two sides at Gaza’s borders, without any role inside the Gaza Strip or interference in its internal affairs.
The immediate formation of a technocratic committee to administer Gaza composed of independent Palestinian figures.
Emphasizing the necessity of launching reconstruction projects in Gaza.
Hamas stressed joint cooperation with Palestinian forces and factions to achieve national unity, and cooperation with various groups to establish a comprehensive national leadership to restore the rights of the Palestinian people, especially the right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.