Politico: White House officials concerned over Gaza peace deal

Some Trump administration officials are expressing deep concerns that the Gaza peace deal between Israel and Hamas could collapse due to the challenges in implementing its key provisions, according to private documents obtained by Politico. 

The documents were presented last month at a two-day symposium attended by a few hundred people, including members of US Central Command, the newly established Civil-Military Coordination Center in southern Israel, and other officials. The symposium focused on the US-brokered peace agreement between Israel and Hamas, which went into effect on October 10.

Among the documents were materials from US government agencies, situation reports on Gaza, and advisory documents from the Blair Institute, a think tank led by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

One of the primary concerns raised in the documents is whether the proposed International Stabilisation Force, a multinational security initiative designed to maintain peace in Gaza, can be successfully deployed.

A slide in the presentation underscores the uncertainty of the project’s future, with one segment linking the first and second phases of the peace plan with a question mark. 

While the documents, which do not contain classified information, paint a grim picture of the hurdles facing the peace process, they also indicate that the Trump administration is committed to moving forward with the agreement.

One slide presented during the symposium includes an organisational chart detailing US involvement in Gaza beyond security, including overseeing economic reconstruction.

Eddie Vasquez, a State Department spokesperson, responded to the concerns by defending the administration’s approach, saying that the story reflected “a complete ignorance of the workings of the Gaza effort.” He reiterated that the Trump administration remains committed to upholding the ceasefire and effectively implementing the 20-point plan.

Despite the administration’s commitment, the documents make clear that the path ahead is fraught with obstacles. One of the major challenges is the potential deployment of the International Stabilisation Force, with several key questions remaining about its mandate, composition, and coordination. The US has already circulated a draft resolution at the UN to authorise the force, but many countries have made it clear that they will only contribute resources if the force has UN backing.

The symposium documents also highlight a number of other hurdles, including Israeli reluctance to withdraw from Gaza, ongoing control by Hamas, and the Palestinian Authority’s desire to regain a foothold in the territory.

Disagreements over governance and the role of the Palestinian Authority, which was ousted by Hamas in 2007, are major points of contention. The US peace plan stipulates that the Palestinian Authority can only participate after it undergoes reforms, a condition that has drawn resistance from both Israel and the Palestinians.

Furthermore, the documents reveal concerns about the severe destruction in Gaza and the need for long-term international support for security and reconstruction efforts. One slide from the Blair Institute notes that Hamas is reasserting control over Gaza, further complicating the security situation.

While the Trump administration initially celebrated the ceasefire and other early successes, such as the release of hostages, the documents suggest that the real challenges lie ahead.

“This is an enormous endeavor and you need sustained, high-level attention,” one US official involved in the planning said. “The administration took its victory lap after the initial cease-fire and hostage release, but all the hard work, the real hard work, remains.”

By Sabina Mammadli