Honestly, if you’ve been scrolling through the news lately, you might think the situation in Gaza is just a repeating loop of the same headlines. But something actually shifted this week. On January 14, 2026, the U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff officially declared that we’ve moved into "Phase 2" of the ceasefire plan.
It sounds like bureaucratic jargon. It’s not.
This is the part where the conversation moves away from just "stop shooting" and into the messy, complicated reality of who actually runs the place. For the first time in nearly two decades, there’s a real, tangible plan on the table to end Hamas’s civil rule in Gaza. But as anyone living in Deir al-Balah or Rafah will tell you, a "plan" on a piece of paper in Washington feels very different when there are still drones overhead.
The Reality of the Update on Israel and Hamas
Let’s be real: calling this a "ceasefire" is a stretch for the people on the ground. Since the original truce took effect back in October, over 450 Palestinians have been killed. Just this Thursday, Israeli strikes killed nine people in Gaza, including three women. Israel says these were targeted hits against "terrorist commanders" in response to ceasefire violations in Rafah. Hamas calls it a "dangerous escalation."
It’s a classic "he-said, she-said" with lethal consequences.
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The big update on israel and hamas right now is the birth of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. This is a group of Palestinian technocrats—basically experts and engineers—led by a guy named Ali Shaath. They met for the first time in Cairo on Friday. Their job? Taking over the day-to-day misery of running a territory that has been flattened.
What Phase 2 actually looks like
If Phase 1 was about the high-stakes hostage swaps we saw last year, Phase 2 is about the "Board of Peace." That’s the official name for the oversight body chaired by Donald Trump.
- Hamas Dissolving? Hamas has publicly said it’s willing to dissolve its existing government to let this new committee take over.
- The Disarmament Battle: This is the sticking point. Trump is demanding "immediate and full demilitarization." He even suggested a "buy-back" program for guns. Hamas, meanwhile, says they won't put down their weapons until there's a Palestinian state.
- The Remaining Captive: There is still one Israeli hostage—or at least their remains—being held. Ran Gvili. His family is (rightfully) furious that the world is moving to Phase 2 while their son is still there.
Why "60 Million Tons" is the number you need to know
We talk about politics, but the physical reality of Gaza is staggering. A UN official, Jorge Moreira da Silva, recently pointed out that there are 60 million tons of rubble across the strip.
Think about that.
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It’s not just broken concrete. It’s unexploded bombs, hazardous waste, and human remains. Experts reckon it’ll take at least seven years just to clear the debris, let alone build a single apartment complex. Most of the 2.3 million people in Gaza are currently squeezed into less than 40% of the territory. They’re living in tents that are literally collapsing under winter storms.
The "Yellow Line" and the New Border
One thing people aren't talking about enough is the "Yellow Line." This is the current military boundary. Israel has withdrawn from parts of Gaza, but they still control about 53% of the land.
Basically, the Gaza Strip has been partitioned. You’ve got the Israeli-controlled eastern zone and the coastal strip where the population is packed in. Netanyahu has called the move to Phase 2 "declarative," which is a fancy way of saying he’s skeptical. He’s under immense pressure from his own right-wing cabinet to keep the military pressure up, while the U.S. is pushing for the "Board of Peace" to start reconstruction.
Key Obstacles Nobody is Solving Yet
Honestly, the "Board of Peace" sounds great on Truth Social, but the logistics are a nightmare.
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- Who pays for it? The UN says reconstruction will cost over $50 billion. So far, the world has pledged almost nothing.
- The International Force: There’s supposed to be an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to replace the IDF. But countries like Azerbaijan and Indonesia are hesitant because nobody knows if they’ll be expected to actually fight Hamas if things go south.
- The "Insurrection" at Home: While this is happening, the U.S. is dealing with its own chaos. Protests against the administration’s handling of the conflict are still raging, and there’s talk of invoking the Insurrection Act to handle domestic unrest. It’s all connected.
What this means for the coming months
We’re in a weird limbo. The war is "over" according to the diplomats, but "continuing in all but name" for those in the Nuseirat refugee camp. The death of Hamas commander Muhammad al-Hawli this week proves that Israel is still going to hunt leadership whenever they see an opening.
The technocratic committee under Ali Shaath is basically trying to fix a plane while it’s crashing. They want to focus on "shelter and fuel" first. That’s smart, but you can’t build a house if the guy next door is still holding an RPG and the guy across the fence is waiting to drop a missile.
Actionable Insights for Following the Conflict
If you’re trying to keep up with the update on israel and hamas without getting buried in propaganda, look for these three things:
- Watch the Rafah Crossing: If it reopens for commercial goods (not just sporadic aid), that’s the first sign Phase 2 is actually working.
- Follow the "Board of Peace" appointments: Who Trump actually puts on this board will tell you if it’s a serious reconstruction effort or just a political move.
- Monitor the "Buy-Back" Program: If we start seeing images of militants actually turning in weapons for cash, that’s a game-changer. If not, expect the "fragile" ceasefire to shatter by spring.
The situation is incredibly precarious. We’re seeing a shift from total war to a kind of "armed peace," where the governance of Gaza is up for grabs. Whether a committee of engineers can succeed where decades of generals failed is the multi-billion dollar question.
Stay informed by checking local sources like the Times of Israel for security updates and WAFA or Al Jazeera for the humanitarian perspective on the ground. The reality usually lies somewhere in the middle of those two extremes.
Next Steps for Staying Updated
- Monitor the Rafah Border: Watch for reports on the permanent reopening of the Rafah crossing, which is a key metric for Phase 2 success.
- Track the "Board of Peace": Look for the official announcement of the 15-member committee to see which international partners are actually committing troops or funds.
- Check Winter Aid Levels: Follow OCHA reports specifically regarding "shelter materials" (like metal poles), as these are currently the most contested items at the border crossings.