Alwaght- After two months of the Gaza ceasefire, the US is actively working to pave the way for a second phase. Sources report President Donald Trump intends to announce the new phase, according to the Wall Street Journal, which cites American officials.
Nikolai Miladinov, a former Bulgarian diplomat and defense minister, will be appointed as the High Representative of the Gaza Peace Council, serving as a liaison between technical committees and the Council in Gaza. This follows earlier reports indicating Trump will announce Gaza administration council members this week, with the council slated to convene next week. A previous Israeli media report suggested Trump plans to formally establish the so-called “Gaza Peace Council” next week, pressured by Washington to advance the ceasefire and end the war.
Palestinian groups’ meeting in Cairo
Amid reports on the next stage of the ceasefire, Palestinian groups convened in Cairo to review the details. While a Hamas delegation led by Gaza chief Khalil al-Hiyya was expected Tuesday, the meeting focused on mediators’ efforts to advance the agreement. Separately, Israeli sources cited by Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hadath news network report Egypt and Jordan are unwilling to participate in international forces planned for deployment to Gaza. The source added that the so-called stabilization forces will only deploy after Hamas disarmament.
International stabilization forces in Gaza, a temporary tool
Meanwhile, it seems that even with a ceasefire in place, the Gaza crisis is escalating, not easing, according to sources. Indonesian foreign minister emphasized that a two-state solution remains the ultimate resolution to the Palestinian issue, dismissing interim measures like international stabilization forces as temporary.
Gaza conditions disastrous despite ceasefire
Entry to the second phase of ceasefire is discussed while the displaced Gazans are living in critical conditions as winter arrives. The spokesman to Gaza Civil Defense on Tuesday said that “we cannot do anything for citizens suffering in the extreme winter. Gaza does not need an internal solution. It needs an international solution, it needs transition to the second phase [of ceasefire]. We have to enter the second phase and start reconstruction.”
In this connection, Gaza mayor said that the conditions of the Gaza children is disastrous amid extreme cold and lack of warming facilities and aid. “Many containers and tents have been destroyed, and we lack the necessary facilities,” he said.
The Gaza government press office reported an increase in the victims of cold to seven in the shadow of the Israeli violation of the truce and blocking aid entry. The statement also reported the death of 24 as a result of collapse of building following heavy rains.
Hamas officials reported receiving hundreds of demands for help against cold weather over the past few hours. What his happening in Gaza, they said, is tough and we witness further cases of death and collapses of damaged buildings. Most of the reports are about tents being removed by strong winds. Also, thousands of buildings are at risk and could collapse any moment.
The office also condemned Israel for 1,193 ceasefire violations resulting in 484 deaths and 1,206 injuries.
This comes after Israel launched a two-year war against Gaza in October 2023, Hamas’s Operation Al-Aqsa Storm. The conflict, backed by the US, has claimed over 70,000 Palestinian lives, predominantly women and children, and left 171,000 injured, alongside widespread devastation estimated to require $70 billion for rebuilding.
Gaza ceasefire was announced on October 10 and ended a devastating war. Still, Tel Aviv regime has violated the ceasefire several repeatedly, killing and injuring and displacing further civilians. This is while Hamas has renewed its commitment to the deal and called on the mediators to force Tel Aviv into executing its terms.
