US President Donald Trump has issued a fresh ultimatum to Hamas, demanding the group’s disarmament and the return of the remains of the final Israeli captive as the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire begins. In a social media post, Trump vowed to pursue the comprehensive demilitarisation of Hamas, warning of severe consequences if the group fails to comply.
The disarmament of Hamas remains one of the most contentious issues in the second phase of the ceasefire, alongside the withdrawal of Israeli forces and increased humanitarian access. Trump’s plan proposes that Hamas surrender its heavy weapons entirely, while a US-backed buy-back programme would compensate owners for smaller arms such as rifles and pistols. However, it remains unclear how such measures would be enforced.
Trump announced he would chair a “board of peace” to govern Gaza, overseeing reconstruction and economic recovery. Former UK prime minister Tony Blair is expected to join an executive board alongside Trump advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, with former UN envoy Nickolay Mladenov playing a central role on the ground. A 15-member Palestinian committee, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), led by Ali Shaath, will supervise civil administration during the transition.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. The United Nations estimates reconstruction will cost more than $70bn (£53bn) over several decades, with over 60 million tonnes of rubble to clear. UN official Jorge Moreira da Silva described the destruction as overwhelming, with homes, schools, and infrastructure levelled. Recent Israeli airstrikes killed six Palestinians at al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital, and winter storms have caused deaths and flooding in displacement camps.
While the ceasefire has slowed violence, life in Gaza remains precarious. At least 451 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire took effect last October. The second phase marks an escalation of diplomatic ambition, aiming for transitional governance and reconstruction amid ongoing tensions.
