DST News: Two months into a US brokered ceasefire Gaza remains stuck in the first phase of President Donald Trump’s peace plan with little progress toward reconstruction or political transition.

Much of the territory is still divided between Israeli forces and Hamas while hundreds of thousands of Palestinians remain displaced amid rubble flooding and winter storms. The United Nations warns that more than 800,000 people are at risk as heavy rain inundates camps and causes buildings to collapse.

The next phase of the plan which includes rebuilding Gaza and forming a new governing arrangement has stalled over unresolved disputes. Israel insists Hamas must return all hostages living and dead before moving forward including police officer Ran Gvili whose body has not been found. His family believes Hamas is withholding him for leverage while Hamas denies the claim.

Political pressures are slowing momentum on both sides. Hamas risks losing power and weapons in the next stage while Israel would be expected to pull back forces and hand security to an international stabilization force. Analysts say neither side is eager to make those concessions.

Trump has signaled impatience and wants the process to advance quickly. Talks on disarming Hamas and Gaza’s future security are expected during an upcoming meeting between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Meanwhile limited preparations for temporary housing in Israeli controlled areas have begun but many Gazans say they will not live under Israeli authority. If the second phase fails observers warn Gaza could become even more fragmented leaving its people trapped between stalled diplomacy and worsening humanitarian conditions.

Source: BBC