Washington Pressures Netanyahu to Advance to Gaza Phase Two Amid Hamas Demands

An informed source revealed that the US administration has exerted significant pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to President Donald Trump's declaration of moving to Phase Two of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, ahead of Netanyahu's anticipated visit to the US later this month.

US Pressure and Israeli Hesitation:

• Phase One Success: US officials conveyed that Phase One successfully repatriated more Israeli hostages (living and dead) than expected.

• Netanyahu’s Fear: US officials believe Netanyahu fears domestic public criticism in Israel if Phase Two is announced before the recovery of the last Israeli body from Gaza, despite Palestinian factions announcing the delivery of the last body on Tuesday.

• Disarming Hamas: US officials clarified internally that their plan will lead to Hamas's disarmament, contrary to major Israeli skepticism about the future international force's ability to achieve this.

Hamas Conditions for Phase Two:

• Hamas Political Bureau member Hossam Badran confirmed that the movement conditions the start of Phase Two on Israel halting all violations of the Phase One terms.

• Unmet Phase One Requirements: Badran stressed the need for full implementation, including sufficient aid entry (400-600 trucks daily) and opening the Rafah crossing for people and goods, noting Israel still restricts adequate aid.

Anticipated Features of Phase Two:

• Phase Two stipulates an Israeli withdrawal from its current positions (the Yellow Line, covering over half the Strip), the assumption of power by a transitional authority, deployment of an international stabilization force, and Hamas disarmament.

• Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir recently stated that the "Yellow Line constitutes a new border, an advanced defense line for settlements, and a line of attack."