Big moves. That’s the only way to describe what happened today. While most of the world is busy with the usual noise, the situation in Gaza just hit a massive, messy turning point.
The U.S. just officially kicked off "Phase Two" of the ceasefire plan. Honestly, if you’re looking at today news in Gaza, you’ll see two very different worlds. On one side, you have high-level diplomats in Cairo talking about "technocratic committees" and "demilitarization." On the other, you have families in Gaza City literally watching the wind rip their tents apart while they try to figure out if the war is actually over or just on a very long, very tense pause.
It's complicated.
The Cairo Meeting: Who Is Actually Running the Show?
Today, January 15, 2026, a group of 15 people met in Cairo. This wasn't just a coffee chat. It was the first official meeting of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG). Think of them as the "fix-it" crew. They’re supposed to be technocrats—basically experts like engineers and doctors—rather than career politicians.
Ali Shaath is the guy in the hot seat. He’s a former deputy minister who is now tasked with leading this committee. Their job? Managing everything from fixing broken water pipes to making sure the hospitals that are still standing actually have medicine.
But here’s the kicker: they haven't even stepped foot in Gaza yet.
They are currently being overseen by Nikolay Mladenov. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he used to be the UN’s point man for the Middle East. Now, he’s working under a "Board of Peace" which is reportedly going to be chaired by U.S. President Donald Trump. It’s a wild, top-heavy structure that feels a bit like trying to build a house from the roof down.
Today News in Gaza: Why the Fighting Hasn't Fully Stopped
You’d think a ceasefire means no more explosions. Unfortunately, that’s not what’s happening on the ground. Today, reports came in that nine people were killed in various strikes across the strip, including in Nuseirat and Gaza City.
The health ministry is saying over 450 people have died since the "ceasefire" originally started back in October. It's a "fragile" peace, to put it mildly.
Why is this still happening?
- The "Yellow Line": This is the boundary where Israeli troops are still stationed. If someone gets too close, things get violent fast.
- The Hostage Situation: This is the elephant in the room. There is still one Israeli hostage, Ran Gvili, whose remains haven't been returned. Prime Minister Netanyahu basically said today that all this "Phase Two" talk is just "declarative" (meaning symbolic) until that happens.
- Hamas Disarmament: This is the biggest hurdle. The U.S. plan calls for Hamas to give up its weapons. Hamas says they’re down to let the committee run things, but they haven't exactly started handing over the keys to the armory.
Living in a Tent During a Winter Storm
While the politicians argue in Egyptian hotels, the weather is becoming a deadlier enemy than the drones. It’s freezing. Rain has been hammering the region since early January.
In Al-Mawasi, the "humanitarian zone" is a muddy disaster. Seawater has been flooding into the tents. OCHA (the UN's humanitarian office) says at least six people, including three kids, have died recently just from the cold and collapsing structures. Imagine trying to keep a newborn warm when your only shelter is a piece of plastic held up by some scrap wood.
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The numbers are staggering. We’re looking at about $50 billion to $70 billion just to rebuild the basic infrastructure. That’s the "reconstruction" part of Phase Two. But so far, the money hasn't really started flowing. Most people are still living in "makeshift" everything.
What Most People Get Wrong About the New Government
There's a big misconception that Hamas is just disappearing. That’s not quite right. While they’ve agreed to let the technocratic committee take over the "civilian" stuff, they are still very much present. They’ve said they will "monitor" the governance.
Meanwhile, Israel is still blocking a lot of the workers. They don't want anyone who was on a Hamas payroll—or even a Palestinian Authority (PA) payroll—to be part of the new system. It’s a logistical nightmare. You can’t run a city without the people who know where the power lines are buried, but right now, those are the exact people being vetted or blocked.
What’s Next for Gaza?
If you’re following today news in Gaza, the next few days are the ones to watch. The U.S. is expected to announce the full "Board of Peace" membership at the World Economic Forum in Davos next week.
That’s when we’ll see if the international community is actually going to put their money where their mouth is.
Actionable Insights for Following the News:
- Watch the Rafah Crossing: If this reopens for commercial goods (not just aid), it’s a sign that Phase Two is actually working.
- Monitor the "Board of Peace" Announcements: Look for which countries are willing to send security forces. Without an international police force, the technocratic committee won't have any real power on the streets.
- Check the Weather Reports: For the 2 million people in Gaza, a 5-degree drop in temperature is a bigger threat than a diplomatic delay.
- Verify Hostage Updates: The return of Ran Gvili’s remains is likely the "trigger" Netanyahu needs to move from symbolic support to actual cooperation with the new committee.
The transition from a war zone to a functioning society is never a straight line. Right now, Gaza is in that messy, dangerous "gray zone" where the old rules are gone but the new ones haven't quite arrived yet.
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Stay updated by checking official UNRWA situation reports and verified local dispatches from journalists on the ground in Gaza City, as the narrative in Cairo often lags behind the reality of the streets.
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