Former UN Special Representative for the Middle East Quartet and Gaza peace envoy; current focus on Gaza reconstruction and disarmament talks amid stalled ceasefire
The Gaza disarmament roadmap has been published and is prompting debate. Hamas is tying its weapons handover to Israel’s withdrawal and an end to attacks, while the Board of Peace oversees phased measures. Israel refuses to withdraw before Hamas is disarmed, asserting security concerns. The plan outlines timelines, verification and civilian governance mechanisms as it faces opposition from both sides.
France 24 reports that a US-led push aims to implement the long-stalled second phase of Gaza’s ceasefire, including Hamas disarmament, Israeli withdrawal, and a phased governance transition to the NCAG under Trump’s mediation. World leaders welcome the development, while concerns over real-time decommissioning and compliance persist as violence continues.
Civil defence teams in Gaza City have recovered the remains of 112 people, including about 40 children, from a residential block hit on 22 November 2023. Hundreds attended mass funerals after days of hand-digging; officials say 157 people remain under the same rubble and thousands more are still reported missing across Gaza.
Hamas has backed the latest stage of the Gaza plan, urging US mediation to press Israel to comply and begin implementing the second phase, while Israeli officials keep insisting Hamas must disarm before any withdrawal. Netanyahu contends Israel will not accept the 15-point framework, warning of strategic deception and warning that Israeli operations will continue.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the U.S.-backed 15-point Gaza roadmap and said Israeli troops will not withdraw until Hamas is "genuinely disarmed." Hamas has affirmed its commitment to the plan, Washington says discussions with Israel are continuing, and the Israeli military has largely paused targeted strikes while ceasefire and reconstruction arrangements remain stalled.
The Gaza ceasefire framework is facing renewed pressure as Netanyahu rejects the 15-point plan, insisting Hamas must fully disarm before any withdrawal. U.S.-led mediators say the roadmap remains operative, while Hamas calls on Washington to pressure Israel. Violence persists, with casualties mounting in Gaza and settlements in the West Bank intensifying.
Kushner and Board of Peace envoys are engaging Hamas in Egypt to press for the 15-point Gaza plan. Netanyahu maintains disarmament conditions, while international mediators call for progress on the roadmap amid unfolding battlefield events.
Kushner and a U.S. envoy delegation have met Hamas leaders to advance the Gaza roadmap. Netanyahu maintains disarmament is a precondition for any Israeli withdrawal. Regional powers back mediators as talks accelerate toward a schedule for implementation.
A US-backed Board of Peace has presented a six-month, $2.45bn, 66-project recovery plan for Gaza but implementation has not started. Israel has expanded control over much of the Strip, Hamas has not fully disarmed, donor pledges remain largely unpaid and international forces and Palestinian technocrats have not entered to begin reconstruction.
Palestinian officials condemn expanding Israeli settlements and related displacement in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza. They call for urgent UN action as Gaza endures a humanitarian catastrophe while a fragile ceasefire persists.
Gaza’s reconstruction is proceeding with a BoP blueprint, proposing $2.4 billion in initial projects, while UNRWA’s role is being questioned by the Board of Peace. Officials differ on UNRWA’s future, as Gaza faces a severe humanitarian crisis and ongoing conflict.