Gaza construction / Envato market
by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
(Worthy News) – U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that phase two of his Gaza peace plan is “moving along well” and will begin “pretty soon,” even as Hamas breached the ceasefire hours earlier in Rafah, wounding six Israeli soldiers.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump was asked directly when the next phase would commence. He avoided giving a firm date but insisted that the process remains on track. “They had a problem today with a bomb that went off — hurt some people pretty badly, probably killed some people,” he said, referring to the attack. “But it’s going very well. We have peace in the Middle East. People don’t realize it.”
Trump added that his peace initiative has “tremendous support,” claiming it is backed by “59 countries.”
Ceasefire Breached in Rafah
Earlier in the day, the Israel Defense Forces reported that Hamas terrorists emerged from a tunnel in eastern Rafah and opened fire at close range on soldiers from the Golani Brigade. Troops had been conducting searches for additional tunnel shafts when they spotted a suspect near an entrance and pursued him.
Roughly 30 minutes later, at least five terrorists burst from the tunnel and attacked. One assailant fired an RPG or placed an explosive device on a Namer armored personnel carrier, injuring six soldiers — one seriously, two moderately, and another lightly. Israeli forces killed at least two terrorists, while others escaped back into the underground network.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security consultation shortly afterward, calling the attack a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire. A senior security official said Israel had notified the United States and intends to “respond sharply.”
Israeli Response
Later that evening, acting on intelligence from Military Intelligence and the Shin Bet, the IDF conducted an airstrike in southern Gaza that killed a Hamas operative tied to the incident. The military said its retaliatory strikes targeted weapons depots, manufacturing sites, command-and-control facilities, and Hamas operatives, including commanders.
Gaza media claimed multiple strikes in western Khan Younis, with reports of casualties in an area of tents in al-Mawasi. The IDF maintained that the targets were strictly military in nature.
Uncertain Future for Phase Two
Despite Trump’s assurances, no agreement currently exists for phase two, which concerns Gaza’s postwar administration. While the United States secured a UN Security Council resolution last month establishing a framework for an International Stabilization Force and early reconstruction, negotiations have stalled. Key unresolved issues include whether Hamas will disarm, which nations will participate in the stabilization force, and where reconstruction will begin.
Israel and Hamas have endorsed only phase one of the deal, which included the initial ceasefire, the IDF pullback, the exchange of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and an increase in humanitarian aid.
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