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Gaza Enters 'Phase Two' of Trump Peace Plan Amid Hostage Return Success

The White House says Gaza is moving into the second phase of President Trump's peace plan. This follows the successful return of nearly all hostages held in the region. Officials are now quietly planning for a new "Board of Peace" and a Palestinian technocratic government. The developments are closely watched by countries like India, which has major stakes in Middle Eastern stability.

Key Points: White House Says Gaza Moving to Phase Two of Trump Peace Plan

  • White House calls hostage return a success enabling next peace phase
  • Phase two involves forming a Board of Peace and Palestinian technocratic government
  • US negotiators are engaged in deliberate, quiet planning for lasting peace
  • India monitors shifts as Middle East stability impacts its workers and energy imports
2 min read

White House says Gaza entering 'phase two' of Trump peace plan after return of hostages

White House announces Gaza entering "phase two" of Trump's peace plan following hostage returns, involving a new Board of Peace and technocratic government.

"All the hostages were returned — all but one body of the deceased hostages has been returned. - White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt"

Washington, Dec 12

The White House said that Gaza is moving toward “phase two” of President Donald Trump’s peace plan, with officials engaged in “quiet planning” for the next stage of regional diplomacy following the return of all hostages except one.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, at her weekly news conference, called the emerging situation “a success,” noting that ten months into Trump’s administration, “you’re asking me about a peace plan in Gaza because that's a legitimate reality on the ground right now.” She said this was possible “only because of this President's leadership.”

“All the hostages were returned — all but one body of the deceased hostages has been returned,” she said, adding that US negotiators are now working on “phase two of the peace deal,” which includes establishing a “Board of Peace,” coordinating with the ISF, and forming a Palestinian “technocratic government.”

Leavitt said negotiations have been kept deliberately quiet. “They are trying to be deliberate and thoughtful… The Gaza Strip is something that people have been trying to accomplish for 70 years,” she said. “We want to ensure an enduring and lasting peace.”

On whether the US would send officials to upcoming meetings with Europeans and Ukrainians regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, Leavitt said Trump is “extremely frustrated with both sides,” and no decision had been finalized.

She also declined to characterize a phone call between Vladimir Putin and Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro as a concern. “I don't think that would be concerning to the President at all,” she said.

India has a longstanding interest in stability in the Middle East, home to millions of Indian workers and a major source of energy imports. Any shifts in US policy toward Gaza and the broader region influence diplomatic calculations across Asia, including India’s balancing of ties with Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and Gulf partners.

India is a strong advocate of peace in the region and has maintained strong and historic ties with key stake holders in the Middle East including Israel and the Palestine.

Efforts to negotiate a durable peace in Gaza have repeatedly faltered over decades, with shifting regional alignments, Iranian influence, and internal Palestinian divisions complicating diplomacy. Washington continues to play a central role in shaping post-conflict governance and security frameworks.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
"Quiet planning" sounds good, but we've heard similar promises before. The real test is whether this "Board of Peace" and technocratic government will have legitimacy with the Palestinian people, not just with the powers that be. India's balanced stance is our strength here.
D
David E
As someone working in international relations, the mention of a "technocratic government" is interesting. If it focuses on governance and development over ideology, it could be a model. But it must be Palestinian-led. India's experience with complex diplomacy could be a valuable voice.
A
Arjun K
Getting most hostages back is a big achievement, no doubt. But calling it a "success" while one family still waits for their loved one's remains feels premature. The real success will be a lasting solution. India should continue its support for a two-state solution, as it always has.
S
Sarah B
The article rightly points out India's high stakes. Our foreign policy has to be very nimble, managing ties with Israel, the Arab world, and Iran. A US-led plan that ignores regional complexities, especially Iran's role, is unlikely to be "enduring."
K
Karthik V
With all due respect to the US administration, peace cannot be imposed from outside. It has to be owned by the people living there. I hope India uses its good relations with all sides to encourage genuine dialogue, not just top-down plans. Jai Hind.

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