The Gaza truce brokered by US President Donald Trump has reached a “critical moment”, says Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani of Qatar, one of the key mediators. Addressing the 23rd edition of the Doha Forum yesterday, he warned that the current lull in fighting was only a temporary pause rather than a genuine cessation of hostilities. He argued that it cannot be viewed as a complete ceasefire until Israeli forces fully withdraw from the territory and conditions of stability return for Gaza’s population.
Although heavy fighting has stopped and the release of dozens of Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners provided a rare common ground, violence has continued to flare. Gaza health officials report that more than 360 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since the truce began, with a number of deadly incidents occurring near the yellow line, which serves as the ceasefire demarcation zone. Negotiators are still working to secure the return of the remains of the final Israeli captive believed to remain in Gaza, underscoring how incomplete the process remains.
While the first phase of the Gaza truce focused on stopping fighting and carrying out humanitarian exchanges, the second stage aims at laying the groundwork for a more enduring settlement. Yet none of the key steps required for its launch have been implemented. Mediators, including Qatar, Egypt, Turkey and the United States, have been attempting to bridge differences among the parties and clarify the commitments required.
A full withdrawal of Israeli forces from their positions in Gaza sits at the top of the agenda, although Israel has given no indication that it is prepared to undertake such a move in the immediate term. Another pillar of the next stage is the creation of a transitional governing body known as the Board of Peace, intended to manage civil affairs during the interim period. This proposed authority would be paired with the deployment of an international stabilisation force tasked with helping maintain order and supporting the political transition.
Perhaps the most contentious aspect of the second phase concerns the disarmament of Hamas. The plan envisages members who surrender their weapons being permitted to leave Gaza, a proposal repeatedly rejected by the group. Hamas negotiators have said they might agree to hand over weapons to the Palestinian Authority only if Israeli forces end their occupation. The gap between these positions remains wide, and few observers believe the issue will be resolved quickly.
Serious questions also surround the feasibility and mandate of the proposed international stabilisation force. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told the Doha Forum that fundamental uncertainties remained over its command structure, its contributors and its primary mission. Arab and Muslim states are wary of joining such a force, fearing potential clashes with Palestinian groups or the perception that they are acting against Palestinian interests. Fidan suggested that the force’s initial role should be to separate Palestinians from Israelis, a view echoed by Egypt’s foreign minister, Badr Abdelatty, who argued that it should monitor compliance along the yellow line. Turkey has indicated willingness to send troops, but Israel has firmly opposed any Turkish involvement, citing Ankara’s close ties with Hamas.
Tensions have been further inflamed by a dispute over the Rafah crossing with Egypt. Reopening the crossing is a central element of the peace plan and is seen by humanitarian agencies as essential for bringing aid into Gaza. Israel’s announcement that it would open Rafah in only one direction, allowing residents to leave Gaza for Egypt, triggered a strong backlash from eight Muslim-majority countries--Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey, Qatar and Indonesia. They issued a joint statement rejecting any attempt to pressure or encourage Palestinians to leave their land. Egypt dismissed suggestions that it had approved the plan and insisted that the crossing must function in both directions. Abdelatty stressed that Rafah would not be used as a gateway for displacement but solely as an entry point for humanitarian supplies.
Amid these diplomatic obstacles, mediators have urged all parties to recognise that the current pause is not an end in itself. According to Sheikh Mohammed, it is important to find a durable solution that guarantees justice to both Israelis and Palestinians. He said all critical issues should be properly addressed, including the worsening situation in the West Bank and the matter of Palestinian statehood. Although the larger peace plan speaks about a future path towards Palestinian statehood, it remains overshadowed by immediate security and humanitarian concerns.