In a bold declaration during the Sharm el-Sheikh summit, President Donald Trump announced that “Phase Two has started” under his Gaza peace framework. With intensity and purpose, he signaled a new chapter in the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement—one focused on reconstruction, order, and long-term stability.
Trump’s statement came amid a gathering of regional leaders in Egypt, convened to steer the fragile peace process forward. While the initial phase saw hostages freed and troop withdrawals negotiated, Phase Two—as he framed it—will address the daunting tasks still looming over Gaza. He noted that phases often overlap, but emphasized that “you can start cleaning up. You look at Gaza — it needs a lot of cleanup.”
Central to the next stage: rebuilding shattered infrastructure, reestablishing civil order, and ensuring security during the fragile transition. Trump pointed out that some elements of Phase Two are already in motion, with the massive devastation across Gaza pressing urgency.
Yet the emphasis on rebuilding comes amid controversy. While Phase One focused on a hostage-prisoner swap and Israeli troop pullbacks, Phase Two’s contours remain undefined. Critics question how governance, demilitarization, and enforcement will be handled, especially with Hamas still present in the territory. Trump has suggested that Hamas may play a temporary internal security role “for a period of time,” though he insists their long-term disarmament remains essential.
The regional summit led by Trump and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi culminated in a document endorsed by several Arab nations—though neither Israel nor Hamas directly signed it. The accord outlines responsibilities for reconstruction, international oversight, and the promotion of peace and prosperity.
Trump’s timing underscores his ambitions to recast his image not just as a dealmaker, but as a “peace president.” He addressed the Israeli Knesset prior to the summit, hailing the release of hostages and framing the moment as a turning point for the region. He also urged Gaza’s leaders and people to abandon violence and focus on rebuilding.
Still, significant obstacles loom. How will Gaza’s governance be managed? Who will fill policing and security roles? Can Hamas be disarmed peacefully? What ensures compliance by all parties? Beneath the confident rhetoric lies a fragile peace—one that demands follow-through and diplomacy.
The world watches as Phase Two begins. With Trump pushing forward, the next chapter in Gaza’s peace process will test the resolve of regional actors, the strength of international oversight, and the very possibility of durable stability in a deeply wounded land.
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