Hamas is the main obstacle to moving into the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, according to the first report of the Peace Board established by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The report, which will be presented today to the United Nations Security Council, states that repeated violations of the ceasefire are ongoing and are preventing full implementation of the agreement.
“At this stage, the main obstacle to full implementation remains Hamas’ refusal to accept verified disarmament, to relinquish coercive control, and to allow a genuine civilian transition in Gaza,” the report says.
Senior envoy for the Gaza initiative, Nickolay Mladenov, is expected to present the document to the Security Council.
According to the report, “institutions, resources, and plans are already in place to take the next steps,” but the manner and sequence will depend on decisions taken by the parties involved.
Although a ceasefire entered into force in October, Gaza continues to experience daily violence. Israeli strikes continue, while both the Israeli military and Hamas accuse each other of violating the agreement.
The report notes that breaches occur almost daily, with severe humanitarian consequences, including civilian deaths, families living in fear, and persistent obstacles to humanitarian aid delivery.
The Trump administration, together with Qatar and Egypt, brokered the ceasefire aimed at ending two years of devastating war in Gaza.
In January, Washington announced the start of the second phase of the peace plan, which includes the disarmament of Hamas, an organization that carried out the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel—an event that triggered Israel’s large-scale offensive in Gaza.
The plan also foresees a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces and the deployment of an international stabilization force.
The first phase of the ceasefire enabled the release of the last hostages taken during the October 2023 attacks, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
However, the transition to the second phase—which includes Hamas’ disarmament and a phased Israeli withdrawal—has remained stalled for weeks, while international attention has shifted toward tensions with Iran and the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The report emphasizes that Hamas’ disarmament is essential for the beginning of Gaza’s reconstruction, enabling an orderly Israeli withdrawal and creating a credible pathway toward Palestinian self-determination and statehood.
