Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan Hits Deadlock Over Hamas Disarmament Demands
The Trump administration’s ambitious plan for peace in Gaza has reached a critical impasse. While the first phase of the agreement established a fragile ceasefire, the transition to the second phase is now stalled by a fierce dispute over the disarmament of Hamas and the release of remaining hostages.
At the center of this diplomatic struggle is the “Board of Peace,” a body chaired by U.S. President Donald Trump, which has issued a deadline for Hamas to accept a disarmament proposal. Hamas has flatly rejected these demands, arguing that disarming would allow Israel to continue what it describes as genocide and insisting that Israel must first meet its own ceasefire obligations.
The Role of the Board of Peace
The Board of Peace first convened in Washington on February 18, 2026, to deliberate on the future of Gaza. The board consists of 27 signatory countries, though it has faced diplomatic hurdles. NATO allies have largely declined to join, citing concerns over the board’s charter and the inclusion of leaders with International Criminal Court arrest warrants, such as those from Russia.
Financial commitments to the board are significant but fall short of total reconstruction needs:
- United States: President Trump committed $10 billion to the body.
- International Partners: Other countries have pledged $7 billion, with the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait expected to contribute up to $1.2 billion.
- The Gap: These funds contrast sharply with World Bank estimates from last year, which placed the cost of rebuilding Gaza at over $70 billion.
Phases of the Peace Plan: From Ceasefire to Governance
Proposed in October 2025, the peace plan is structured in stages. The first phase began in October 2025 when Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire, a move later supported by a UN resolution in November. However, the implementation has been partial. Currently, Gaza remains divided by a “yellow line” that marks the limits of Israeli forces under the first stage of the deal.
The board is now attempting to navigate the second phase, which involves several complex objectives:
- Establishing a postwar governing structure for Gaza.
- Facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid into the enclave.
- Negotiating the total disarmament of Hamas.
- Securing the withdrawal of Israeli troops.
The Sticking Points: Hostages and Weapons
The path to the second phase is blocked by two primary demands. First, President Trump has warned that Hamas must disarm for the deal to progress. Envoys from the Board of Peace met with Hamas representatives in Cairo on March 16, 2026, to push this agenda, but the group’s armed wing maintains that such demands are unacceptable.
Second, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that all hostages—both living and dead—must be returned before moving to the next stage. A major point of contention is the search for Ran Gvili, a police officer captured on October 7. Despite multiple searches of the rubble in Gaza, Gvili has not been found, and his disappearance remains a primary obstacle to Israeli cooperation with the next phase of the plan.
- The Deadline: The Board of Peace has given Hamas until the complete of the week to accept disarmament.
- Hamas’s Position: Disarmament is ruled out until Israel meets ceasefire terms; they claim disarming would enable further genocide.
- Israel’s Position: No progress to the second phase without the return of all hostages, specifically Ran Gvili.
- Financial Status: $17 billion pledged via the Board of Peace against a $70 billion+ reconstruction estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the “yellow line” in Gaza?
The “yellow line” is a physical or designated boundary marking the limits of Israeli forces’ positions under the first stage of the Trump administration’s ceasefire agreement.
Why did NATO allies refuse to join the Board of Peace?
NATO allies cited concerns regarding the scope of the board’s charter and the fact that invitations were extended to countries whose leaders have outstanding arrest warrants with the International Criminal Court (ICC), such as Russia.
What must happen for the peace plan to reach the second phase?
The transition requires a resolution on Hamas’s disarmament and the return of all Israeli hostages, alongside agreements on postwar governance and Israeli troop withdrawal.
As the deadline set by the Board of Peace approaches, the future of the enclave remains uncertain. With Gazans still displaced and living in makeshift shelters amidst winter storms, the diplomatic deadlock continues to delay the reconstruction and governance necessary for long-term stability.
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