Gaza Peace Plan Phase Two: Former Negotiator Daniel Levy on the 2026 Outlook

Is the long-awaited peace finally within reach, or is this just another pause in the storm? On December 30, 2025, former Israeli negotiator Daniel Levy joined NPR's Morning Edition to dissect the complex transition into the next stage of regional diplomacy.

Gaza Peace Plan Phase Two: Navigating the Obstacles

As the president of the U.S./Middle East Project, Levy's insights suggest that the transition to Gaza peace plan Phase Two is fraught with political landmines. While Phase One primarily dealt with immediate humanitarian concerns and hostage exchanges, Phase Two focuses on the permanent cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of forces—a much steeper hill to climb.

The Diplomatic Tightrope

According to Levy, the success of this phase hinges on creating a viable governance structure for Gaza that satisfies both security requirements and local sovereignty. He noted that domestic pressures within both camps could derail progress as we head into 2026, emphasizing that the international community must provide a robust framework to support these fragile negotiations.