Overview
- An Israeli government spokeswoman confirmed the Dec. 29 meeting to review upcoming steps in the U.S.-led ceasefire framework and the proposed international stabilization force.
- Netanyahu reaffirmed that Hamas will be disarmed, saying it could happen peacefully or by force, and questioned whether a multinational mission could carry out that task.
- The plan’s second stage under discussion envisions disarming Hamas, installing a technocratic Palestinian administration, deploying a stabilization force, and a potential Israeli pullback.
- Hamas says it will not hand over weapons or accept foreign troops operating inside Gaza, though a senior official indicated UN monitors at border crossings could be acceptable.
- U.S.-led diplomacy has intensified, with UN Ambassador Mike Waltz visiting Israel and a U.S.-mediated Israel–Qatar meeting in New York reported to involve Mossad chief David Barnea.