Washington D.C. – U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that the second phase of the Gaza agreement is “coming soon,” as tensions rise between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas regarding the implementation of the deal. The two sides have exchanged accusations, each blaming the other for the stalled progress.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Trump was quoted by Axios reporter Barak Ravid as saying, “Phase two of the Gaza deal is moving along. It will happen soon.” The statement offers a glimmer of hope amidst growing concerns over the fragile ceasefire.
Netanyahu, however, reiterated his hard-line stance, asserting that the second phase aims to disarm Hamas and demilitarize Gaza. He went further, adding, “I believe there is a third goal, which is to de-radicalize the residents of Gaza.” The Israeli Prime Minister, currently under scrutiny from the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Gaza, stated that Hamas cannot remain in Gaza and that its removal would occur either through an international force or “the hard way.”
Hamas, in response, called on mediators and guarantor nations to “curb the occupation and prevent Netanyahu from evading the agreement and halting the bombing of civilians.” The group condemned the recent strikes on displaced persons camps in Khan Yunis as a war crime and a blatant disregard for the ceasefire agreement.
Earlier this week, Netanyahu’s office announced that Trump had invited the Israeli Prime Minister to the White House for a meeting, potentially scheduled for December 26th. If confirmed, this would mark Netanyahu’s fifth visit to the United States since the beginning of Trump’s second presidential term earlier this year.
Since assuming his second term, Trump has consistently voiced strong support for Israel, which has been engaged in a military operation in the Gaza Strip since October 8, 2023. The conflict has resulted in a significant loss of life, with over 70,000 reported fatalities and approximately 171,000 injuries, predominantly among women and children.
A ceasefire agreement, brokered under a plan proposed by Trump, was initially implemented on October 10th, but its future remains uncertain amid ongoing disagreements.
