No Christmas surprise
Hamas Rejects Disarmament, Trump Delays Gaza Plan in Major Setback
With Trump delaying the Gaza oversight board and no countries willing to enforce the plan, disarm Hamas, or join the force, officials warn the fragile postwar blueprint may be at risk of collapse.
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he will unveil the members of the Board of Peace, the body meant to oversee Gaza’s postwar management, only “early next year,” signaling further delays in the transition to phase two of his Gaza plan.
US officials had previously indicated that Washington hoped to announce both the phase-two shift and the relevant appointments by Christmas. But discussions remain in early stages, especially regarding Hamas’s disarmament, which Israel says must precede reconstruction and the broader implementation of the deal. The US has also made no progress in persuading countries to join the International Stabilization Force that would take over in eastern Gaza, where Israeli forces still operate.
Asked when the Board of Peace lineup would be revealed, Trump told reporters, “We’ll do it early next year,” shutting down expectations of an imminent announcement. He said the board would consist of global leaders eager to participate, though none have publicly stepped forward.
Former UK prime minister Tony Blair, once floated as the likely head of the Board of Peace, is out of contention following objections from Arab and Muslim governments. His support for the Iraq War and his perceived closeness to Israel led to firm opposition. Blair’s removal complicates US efforts, as he was one of the few international figures trusted by Israel and experienced in Gaza diplomacy.
Diplomatic sources now point to former UN Middle East envoy Nikolay Mladenov as the leading candidate for the role. Mladenov, currently heading the UAE diplomatic academy, is considered credible by both Israel and the Palestinians and has a long record of involvement in preventing past escalations with Hamas.
The UN Security Council resolution backing Trump’s plan authorizes an International Stabilization Force “by all means necessary,” including to disarm Hamas. Washington has yet to convince any state to participate. Countries approached express concerns about becoming entangled in fighting and note that Israel’s veto on Turkish participation removes what many see as a key guarantor. US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said talks with Israel on the Turkish question are ongoing.
Azerbaijan, publicly mentioned by Waltz as a prospective contributor, has privately signaled it is only open to peacekeeping roles, not peace-enforcement operations.
Hamas again rejects disarmament Senior Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal reiterated Wednesday that the group will not give up its weapons, calling full disarmament “unacceptable” and equating it with “stripping away the soul” of the Palestinian people. Mashaal said Hamas might agree to “freeze” or “store” its arsenal, but not surrender it.
Finally, US officials say Washington is insisting that the remains of St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili, the last unrecovered hostage, must be returned before any transition to phase two can proceed.