US Gaza Plan Stalled as Hamas Retains Weapons and Power
Translated & summarized from Mignews by baba
The U.S. plan for the Gaza Strip is facing significant setbacks, with Hamas retaining its weapons and control. The second phase of the initiative, aimed at security and political reform, has stalled due to Hamas's non-compliance and difficulties in deploying international forces. Reconstruction efforts are hampered by the inability of the technocratic committee to enter Gaza. The U.S. has allocated $2.45 billion for initial phases, but full reconstruction will require hundreds of billions and hinges on preventing funds from reaching Hamas and dismantling their military infrastructure.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- The U.S. State Department acknowledges serious obstacles in implementing its Gaza peace plan.
- Hamas has not disarmed and continues to control populated areas in Gaza.
- The second phase of the U.S. initiative, focused on security and political reform, has stalled.
- International stabilization forces and a new local police force have not yet been deployed to Gaza.
- Reconstruction of Gaza will require hundreds of billions of dollars and depends on financial controls and Hamas disarmament.
The U.S. State Department has officially acknowledged significant obstacles in implementing key provisions of a peace agreement for the Gaza Strip. While the U.S. administration remains committed to the complete disarmament of militants, the removal of Hamas's authority, and ensuring long-term Israeli security, an official representative, Tommy Pickett, urged the international community to realistically assess timelines. He stated that rebuilding the enclave will be an arduous, multi-year process. According to Israel's Channel 14, the second phase of the U.S. initiative is facing substantial on-the-ground difficulties. The first phase, which began on October 10, 2025, following the approval of a framework proposed by Donald Trump, saw the release of 20 living Israeli hostages and the return of the bodies of 28 deceased Israelis. In exchange, Israel released over 1,950 Palestinian prisoners and significantly increased humanitarian aid deliveries. The UN Security Council officially endorsed the U.S. initiative in November of the same year, establishing the international status of transitional governing bodies and future stabilization forces.
However, the second phase, aimed at fundamentally altering the security system and political structure of Gaza, has largely stalled. An analysis by the J Street think tank confirms that Hamas has not disarmed and continues to exercise de facto control over densely populated areas. The technocratic committee, established to manage the Gaza Strip and coordinate reconstruction under the supervision of the Peace Council, is still forced to convene in Cairo. The committee members' inability to enter the enclave is hindering the functioning of civil services, education, and healthcare systems. Concurrently, the deployment of international stabilization forces is lagging. Washington has notified Congress of budget allocations for a peacekeeping contingent, but the military units have yet to enter Gaza, and a new local police force has not been formed. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) maintain a military presence in Gaza, as their withdrawal is directly linked to the disarmament of terrorist groups.
The White House is advancing an initial tranche of $2.45 billion through the Trump Peace Council, intended for the first six months of preliminary work and the establishment of a temporary civilian administration. However, the complete reconstruction of housing, power grids, hospitals, and transportation infrastructure will require hundreds of billions of dollars in international investment. A primary condition for commencing large-scale investment remains the creation of a robust financial control mechanism to prevent funds from reaching terrorists and the dismantling of Hamas's military infrastructure.
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