The United States is hosting a high-level summit in Miami today to advance the Gaza peace process, following a fragile ceasefire that took effect in October. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is chairing the talks, which seek to move the conflict from a temporary truce towards a more durable settlement under a US-designed 20-point peace plan.
The meeting brings together senior representatives from the principal mediating states: Qatar, Egypt and Turkey. Among those attending are Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani and Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty.
Notably absent from the gathering is Israel. According to reports from Jerusalem, Israel is currently in what has been described as a “period of waiting”, while the United States works with regional partners to finalise the framework for the next stage of the agreement. This diplomatic effort comes as Trump has claimed that the ceasefire has delivered peace to the Middle East “for the first time in 3,000 years”, a remark that has drawn scepticism but underscores the administration’s desire to present the process as a historic breakthrough.
The primary focus of the Miami talks is the implementation of the so-called “second phase” of the peace deal. The first phase, which took effect on October 10, ended more than two years of war in Gaza. During this initial stage, most hostages held by Hamas were released, thousands of Palestinian prisoners were freed from Israeli jails, and humanitarian aid was allowed to enter the besieged territory.
The US administration is now pressing to move ahead with Phase Two, which is significantly more complex, both politically and structurally. Under the 20-point plan, this phase envisages the deployment of an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) to maintain security in Gaza, along with the disarmament of Hamas. The latter remains a core Israeli demand but Hamas leaders have publicly rejected it, insisting that they have a “legitimate right” to retain their weapons.
also read
- Israel's $35B gas deal with Egypt: A diplomatic win or a domestic risk?
- Trump's Gaza peace plan stalled as allies hesitate on troop commitments for International Stabilisation Force
- Israel's new doctrine: Why direct control in Syria replaced deterrence
- Who was Raed Saad? The Hamas commander targeted by Israel for decades
Phase Two also calls for the creation of a temporary, technocratic Palestinian committee to govern Gaza, effectively replacing Hamas’s rule. At the same time, Israeli troops would fully withdraw from the territory. A newly established “Board of Peace”, chaired by President Trump himself, will oversee the process, reflecting Washington’s desire to retain tight control over the post-war settlement.
A major element of the Miami discussions centres on the formation of the International Stabilisation Force. Washington has taken the lead in attempting to assemble this force and recently convened a meeting of around 45 countries in Doha to assess potential contributions. Turkey has indicated a willingness to deploy troops, arguing that its participation would help ensure that “justice is served”. Israel, however, is unwilling to accept any role for Turkey, saying Ankara always sides with Palestine and is not a neutral party.
Qatar, meanwhile, has made it clear that the proposed international force should always remain bipartisan, highlighting the delicate balancing act facing mediators. They will have to address Israeli security concerns and at the same time meet Palestinian demands for sovereignty. Both Israel and Hamas continue to accuse each other of repeatedly violating the truce. Israel recently killed one of Hamas’s senior-most commanders in Gaza in a targeted strike, in what was the most high-profile killing of a Hamas figure since the truce began. Raed Saad, a senior commander in the Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, was killed in a drone strike on December 13. There have been reports that it prompted Trump to warn Israeli leaders that such actions risk undermining the truce.
Another key issue that could complicate negotiations is that of the remaining hostages. Israel is seeking the remains of Ran Gvili, believed to be the last captive held by Hamas. On the other hand, Hamas wants the international community to pressure Israel to open border crossings and halt military strikes. Although famine conditions have eased slightly since the ceasefire, the territory continues to struggle with widespread shortages and the slow pace of reconstruction.
While Israel is not represented at the Miami summit, further high-level engagement is expected shortly. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet Trump on December 29, either at the White House or at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, to discuss the next steps in advancing the plan.