US President Donald Trump unveiled a 20-point peace plan for the Gaza Strip on September 29, 2025, aiming to end hostilities and establish a transitional governance framework. The plan linked a one-time hostage and prisoner exchange with a demilitarization process and the establishment of international oversight in Gaza.

Central to the proposal was the creation of a technocratic National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a Palestinian body responsible for services and reconstruction, operating under the supervision of a Trump-chaired “Board of Peace” alongside an international security presence. The plan stipulated the removal of Hamas from political and military control, to be replaced by vetted local forces and an international stabilization force tasked with maintaining a terror-free, demilitarized environment.

The longer-term vision included transitioning authority to the Palestinian Authority (PA) contingent on successful reforms addressing security, corruption, and governance. This would pave the way for a unified Palestinian administration over both Gaza and the West Bank, supported by elections and potentially leading to US-backed negotiations on statehood.

The UN Security Council formally endorsed the initiative with Resolution 2803 on November 17, 2025. Eight Arab and Islamic countries— Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates—issued a joint statement supporting the plan and offered to collaborate with the US on implementation. Hamas expressed conditional acceptance of parts of the proposal, including the hostage release and transfer of authority, while reserving its position on disarmament pending further negotiations.

Following the initial ceasefire and hostage exchange, the UN resolution authorized a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) to enforce demilitarization and train Palestinian police under US coordination. By mid-2026, countries including Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Albania pledged troops for the ISF, with Egypt and Jordan agreeing to train Palestinian police. However, no ISF troops have yet entered Gaza, and financial support has stalled, with $100 million from the UAE for police training remaining frozen.

On the ground, Israel’s military presence has expanded since the ceasefire, reducing Hamas-controlled territory from 47% to approximately 40%, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressing intentions to control up to 70% of Gaza. Despite this territorial gain, only about 15% of Gaza’s population resides in Israeli-controlled areas, with the majority facing overcrowding, inadequate sanitation, limited services, and severe water shortages. War damage has further degraded Gaza’s water infrastructure, which remains reliant on daily trucked supplies.

Although the peace plan envisions significant reconstruction funded through the Board of Peace with billions pledged, as of May 2026 no donor money has reached the World Bank, and no funds have been disbursed for Gaza’s rebuilding efforts. While some construction initiatives are underway, including an Emirati-funded housing project managed by Gaza-based Masoud & Ali Contracting Co. in southern Israeli-controlled Gaza, overall rebuilding remains at the planning or tender stage and constrained by security issues and withheld financing.

Despite formal progress, the plan’s second phase—demilitarization, Israeli withdrawal, and broad reconstruction—has largely stalled. Ceasefire violations persist, Hamas remains militarized, and Israel has not significantly reduced its presence to facilitate the transition envisioned.

In March 2026, Nickolay Mladenov, the UN high representative for Gaza and director-general of the Board of Peace, reported to the Security Council that a comprehensive framework for disarming armed groups, including Hamas, was in place. He emphasized the principle of “one authority, one law, one weapon,” with the goal of transferring weapons control to the technocratic Palestinian authority in Gaza. Mladenov outlined a phased approach beginning with the removal of heavy weapons and tunnels, progressing in tandem with Israeli redeployments and overseen by Palestinian security forces accountable to the NCAG. He also linked disarmament compliance directly to the commencement of large-scale reconstruction efforts.

On June 30, the Board of Peace convened a two-day meeting in Cyprus aimed at revitalizing stalled plans concerning governance, reconstruction, and the transition from Hamas rule. Officials and advisors described the talks as "highly productive," signaling ongoing efforts to revive the initiative.

While not defunct, the Gaza peace plan remains largely in limbo, with significant obstacles delaying implementation. Renewed political will, security progress, and financial commitments will be essential to advancing the complex and fragile process laid out more than half a year ago.