Donald Trump is planning to announce before Christmas the start of the second phase of the peace process for the Gaza, and will also unveil the new governance structure for the region, according to US officials cited by the Axios website.

The fragile ceasefire in Gaza is so far the most significant foreign policy achievement of Trump’s second term, with the US administration seeking progress in the second phase in order to avoid a return to war.

According to Axios, despite ongoing Israeli attacks, which have caused the deaths of 366 Palestinians, the ceasefire, which began on October 11, has not fully collapsed. In the first phase of the deal, almost all hostages, living and dead, have been released, while some remains remain unresolved.

The second phase involves Israel withdrawing from more Gaza territory, sending an International Stabilization Force (ISF), and implementing new governance led by the Trump-led Peace Council. This force will be deployed in the areas of Gaza controlled by the Israeli army and will allow for further withdrawal of Israeli forces.

The composition of the new government

According to the same reports, the top of the governance structure will be the Trump-led Peace Council, which will include about 10 leaders from Arab and Western countries.

Below that will be an international executive council, which will include former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, Trump advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Whitcoff, as well as additional senior officials from countries represented on the Peace Council.

A Palestinian technocratic government will operate under the Executive Committee. It will include 12-15 Palestinians who have administrative and business experience and are not affiliated with Hamas, Fatah or any other Palestinian party or faction.

The decision on the second phase of the agreement is expected to be approved by the countries in the region and then submitted to Hamas for acceptance. Trump and his allies hope that Hamas will accept the deal and allow the new government to take over governance of the region.

White House officials said announcements on the Peace Council and the implementation of the second phase of the peace plan will be made in the coming weeks, with the goal of providing security and prosperity for the people of Gaza and the wider region.