Trump Gaza Peace Plan Phase 2 Launches Amid Deadly Violations

Diplomats are talking peace in Cairo, but the ground in Gaza tells a different story. Israeli attacks killed at least 3 Palestinians on January 16, 2026, just one day after the United States announced the start of Phase 2 of President Donald Trump's peace plan.

Violence Mars Start of Trump Gaza Peace Plan Phase 2

The latest violations of the tenuous ceasefire involved the deaths of a 10-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy in northern Gaza. According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, 15 Palestinians were killed in the 24 hours leading up to Friday afternoon. Israel stated its forces targeted and killed Muhammad al-Hawli, a commander in Hamas's armed wing, alongside several other militants.

Since the ceasefire began on October 10, at least 463 Palestinians and 3 Israeli soldiers have died. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem called these strikes a "new violation," even as political representatives met in Egypt to discuss the enclave's future governance.

The Technocratic Committee and the 7-Year Rubble Challenge

In Cairo, a Palestinian technocratic committee met for the first time to prepare for Phase 2. Led by Ali Shaath, the committee aims to manage daily affairs under a "board of peace" overseen by the Trump administration. While Shaath expects recovery to take about 3 years, the UNDP warns it'll take 7 years just to clear the debris.

Significant hurdles remain. Israel still occupies more than 50% of the strip, and there's no clear timeline for withdrawal. Furthermore, Hamas has signaled it's ready to hand over administration but refuses to disarm—a key demand of the Trump plan. The President recently warned Hamas it could disarm "the easy way, or the hard way."