Wikoff announces "the start of phase two" in Gaza.

[Twiglets1]

Yesterday, the US envoy Steve Wikoff announced the “launch of phase two” where the goal will be “moving from ceasefire to demilitarization, technocratic governance and reconstruction.”

The US officials acknowledged heavy doubt in Jerusalem over the prospect of Hamas disarming, but they insisted that the terrorist group has indicated its readiness to do so.

“We’ve talked to a number of Hamas people, and we’re hearing throughout the Arab world that people don’t want to be at war anymore. They want peace. They want a better economic future for their families. They want credible homes,” said a second US official on the briefing. “They want what everybody else in this world wants — just a good life, and a good life doesn’t occur through military means.”

The officials proceeded to offer status updates on the other bodies that will be established as part of the second phase, including the Board of Peace, which will oversee the entire operation and the International Stabilization Force, which in turn will help secure the Strip in place of the IDF.

While officials familiar with the matter have told The Times of Israel in recent weeks that Washington has struggled to recruit allies abroad to serve on either forum, the two Trump aides briefing reporters insisted that Washington has received more than enough assistance to move its Gaza plan forward.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-bullish-as-bodies-tasked-with-replacing-hamas-take-shape-despite-disarmament-hurdle/

Has Hamas disarmed or left yet?

No

Not yet. The question is - will they?

I’m glad the the phase II is being pushed through. Netanyahu has been delaying it by continuing to open fire on civilians, paying Gazan Palestinian gangs to hunt down and kill Hamas members, and not living up to the humanitarian aid requirements until Hamas disarm.

Hamas have been delaying it by refusing to disarm until Netanyahu actually ceases fire, sends in the humanitarian aid, and tells his Gaza Palestinian gangs on his payroll to stop hunting down and killing Hamas. (the ceasefire grants amnesty to Hamas members).

It’s like a standoff where both are going you drop your weapon first…and each is like no, you first.

I really really think the Trump administration is too autocratic, but in this case I think autocratic outside force is the only way to get Netanyahu and Hamas to implement a peace agreement.

I agree with this I really really think the Trump administration is too autocratic, but in this case I think autocratic outside force is the only way to get Netanyahu and Hamas to implement a peace agreement.

That must be the part where they steal the rest.

“Israel has moved the blocks which are supposed to mark its post-ceasefire line of control deeper into Gaza in several places, sowing confusion among Palestinians.” BBC

I think Wikoff announcing the start of phase 2 is a good thing and will hopefully be beneficial for Palestinians in Gaza.

Phase 2 is the topic of the thread @explanationplease not an invitation for more Israel bashing. There is already a thread for that on the link below. Or you could start your own thread rather than hijacking mine.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/conflict-in-the-middle-east/5376798-this-is-the-reality-of-what-israel-is-doing-part-7

Interestingly, in Phase two, the yellow blocks are meant to move outwards, releasing more of Gaza back to civilian control by the Peace Board and interim international peacekeeping forces. The lines on the map are an important part of the phases and hopefully Trump and co will enforce that when Phase 2 starts.

Rafah crossing was also supposed to reopen to two way traffic with right of return for any Palestinians evacuated for medical care in Phase 1- hopefully that will be corrected come Phase 2.

So boring to go over the same old ground about how Hamas equally hasn’t done all the things they were supposed to in phase 1. They signed a document to say they would release the bodies of all the dead hostages & haven’t.

Nevertheless the US pushes the transition to phase 2. And I guess that’s a good thing? Unless it’s better to stay in phase 1 forever.

Trump will do what he wants to do in Phase 2, that’s probably the only thing we know for sure about what Trump & co will enforce. Are the Palestinians a friend to Trump? That could have some bearing.

Yes, that is correct. Hamas released all hostages except for 1 deceased hostage who Hamas say is under rubble they cannot get to without a heavy digger. Looking at the moonscape devastation from years of constant bombing, it is possible the last hostage is missing and they just don’t know where he is.

Trump is a wild card to be sure. I don’t think he is a friend to anyone but himself first and foremost. Secondly would be what he thinks and his closest advisors say are in the best interests of America - “America First” is not an empty slogan.

He isn’t a friend to either Israel or the Palestinians, that’s why it’s such an unknown as to whether pushing Phase 2 through will mean the agreement signed gets followed or whether the people in the Levant end up with something completely different.

any kind of dystopia you can imagine could happen.

If they had no idea where he was they shouldn’t have said they would return all the dead hostages as part of the ceasefire deal.

What are you doing defending Hamas??

Agree with the rest of it. Hamas should have surrendered near the beginning of the war when they could have cut a better deal direct with Israel. But they don’t have a “surrender” mentality clearly. Which is something they don’t get a lot of stick for.

Thank goodness - the body of the last Israeli hostage has now been returned & the Rafah crossing will open in both directions to pedestrians in the next few days.

According to the Israel’s state broadcaster KAN, the Rafah crossing will open in both directions on February 1st.

Cue the pro pallies ‘Why can’t it open today!’

Why can't it open today!

Why do Israel need to do security checks?

General grumbling about entering phase 2.

Gaza border crossing buzzes with activity after years of near-complete closure

Gaza’s Rafah border crossing with Egypt was busy with activity Sunday as Israel said that limited travel to and from the territory is set to resume after years of near-complete isolation. Reopening the border crossing is a key step as the Israel-Hamas ceasefire moves ahead.

Israel announced Sunday that the crossing has opened in a test. COGAT, the Israeli military agency that controls aid to Gaza, said in a statement that the crossing was actively being prepared for fuller operation, adding that residents of Gaza would begin to pass through the crossing once preparations were complete.

Palestinian security officers passed through the crossing's Egyptian gate and headed toward the Palestinian gate to join an EU mission that will be supervising exit and entry, said an Egyptian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to talk to the media. Ambulances also crossed through the Egyptian gate, the official added.

The head of the new Palestinian administrative committee governing Gaza’s daily affairs has said travel in both directions would start Monday.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will allow 50 patients a day to leave. An official involved in the discussions, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the diplomatic talks, said each patient would be allowed to travel with two relatives, while some 50 people who left Gaza during the war would be allowed to return each day.

Israel has said it and Egypt will vet people for exit and entry through the crossing, which will be supervised by European Union border patrol agents. The number of travelers is expected to increase over time if the system is successful.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/gaza-egypt-cogat-israel-palestinian-b2911637.html

Times of Israel report that the crossing will be opened initially for 50 injured Hamas operatives and 50 wounded civilians, along with the people escorting them. A further 100 people, most likely students, will be allowed through on humanitarian grounds.

Gaza’s health ministry said the transportation of patients from two hospitals in the north and south of the enclave would be coordinated with the World Health Organization.

www.timesofisrael.com/gazas-rafah-crossing-set-to-reopen-saturday-to-be-run-by-pa-with-eu-monitors/

This is all in accordance with Trump's 20 point peace plan.

@Twiglets1, I dont agree with a lot you say but your commitments to these threads is to be admired.

Thank you @JacknDiane

I've just replied to your post on another topic entirely and it's a much nicer one 😀

Yes, we won't fall out there 😂

Statement from Kaja Kallas, Vice President of the European Commission, on the reopening of the Rafah Crossing today:

The opening of the Rafah crossing marks a concrete and positive step in the peace plan.

The EUs civilian mission is on the ground to monitor crossing operations and support Palestinian border guards.

For Gaza’s sick and wounded, the reopening is a lifeline. It will allow families to reunite after far too long apart.

Practical steps like this help move the truce plan forward and must continue. At the same time, Gaza remains in urgent need of aid. Its reconstruction will depend on Hamas demilitarisation.