US envoys meet with Netanyahu and urge Israel to move into the second phase of Gaza ceasefire

In January 2026, Palestinian technocrat leader Ali Shaath announced that the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt will reopen next week. The announcement, made during a World Economic Forum event hosted by US President Donald Trump, signals a potential shift from previous Israeli policies regarding the crossing. Shaath stated the reopening represents a lifeline and opportunity for Palestinians, signifying Gaza is no longer closed off. The crossing has been largely shut since Israel's war, despite a ceasefire agreement that left Israel in control of the border area. The White House also announced the 15 members of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), which Shaath will lead, to oversee the transition of power in Gaza.

Sources say Israel intends to implement a policy at the Rafah border crossing, expected to reopen next week, that will prioritize Palestinian departures from Gaza over entries. The Rafah crossing, the primary access point for the over 2 million residents of Gaza, has been under Israeli military control since 2024. This plan coincides with the second phase of a US-backed plan where Israel is expected to withdraw troops further from Gaza and Hamas is due to yield control of the territory’s administration. While the details of how Israel will enforce this "more out than in" policy remain unclear, the move raises concerns among Palestinians about potential forced displacement, despite Israeli denials of such intentions. The policy comes as part of a US backed plan to end the war between Israel and Hamas.

The US has unveiled plans for a "New Gaza" at the World Economic Forum in Davos, aiming to rebuild the devastated territory after the two-year war between Israel and Hamas. The plan, presented by President Trump's Board of Peace, envisions skyscrapers, housing estates, and new infrastructure, including a seaport, airport, and industrial zones. The redevelopment, divided into four phases starting in Rafah, aims to create residential, agricultural, and industrial areas for Gaza's 2.1 million population. The plan also includes a "security perimeter" along the Egyptian and Israeli borders where Israeli forces will remain. The US intends to enforce Hamas' demilitarization as part of the agreement.

On January 21, 2026, Israeli fire struck the central Gaza town of Zahraa, killing three Palestinian journalists who were filming a newly established displacement camp managed by an Egyptian government committee. The journalists were traveling in a vehicle when the strike occurred. The incident took place on one of Gaza's deadliest days since the ceasefire. Mourners gathered at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City for the journalists' funeral. The event is part of ongoing conflict in the region, with a separate strike also reported in Qennarite village, south Lebanon.

At least 11 Palestinians, including two children and three journalists, were killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza on January 21, 2026. According to Gaza's Ministry of Health, six others were injured. The three journalists, Anas Ghunaim, Abdul Ra’ouf and Shaath Mohammad Qeshta, worked for the Egyptian Committee for Gaza Relief and were documenting a newly established displacement camp near the Netzarim Corridor when their vehicle was struck. The Egyptian Committee stated the vehicle was known to the Israeli military. Israeli Army Radio claimed the vehicle was targeted because occupants were using a drone to collect intelligence. In a separate incident in central Gaza, three members of a single family, including a child, were killed in eastern Deir el-Balah.

On Wednesday, Israeli forces killed at least 11 Palestinians in Gaza, marking one of the deadliest days since the October ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. The casualties included two 13-year-old boys killed in separate incidents, three journalists filming near a displacement camp, and a woman. The journalists were reportedly killed while filming near a displacement camp in central Gaza; the Israeli military stated they identified suspects operating a drone that posed a threat. One boy was killed by Israeli drones near the Bureij refugee camp, along with his father and another man, while the other was shot by troops in Bani Suheila. The incidents occurred as the United States attempts to advance a second phase of a deal between the involved parties.

In January 2026, US envoys met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to urge Israel to transition to the second phase of a ceasefire in Gaza. The meeting occurred amidst ongoing conflict, as evidenced by reports of an Israeli strike that killed a 15-year-old Palestinian boy in Gaza City. The article includes images depicting the aftermath of the strike, including mourning family members and Palestinians receiving food donations. The envoys' urging suggests a desire for de-escalation and a shift in the nature of the conflict. The specific details of the proposed second phase of the ceasefire were not provided in this article.

In January 2026, Donald Trump launched his "Board of Peace," outlining a vision for Gaza. The plan centers on the disarmament of Hamas and the development of real estate based on free market economy principles. The "Board of Peace" aims to facilitate these changes in Gaza. The initiative's stated goal is to foster peace and economic growth in the region through these measures. The long-term impact and feasibility of the plan remain to be seen.

At the Davos summit, the Trump administration unveiled a plan for Gaza's future, envisioning a unified, Palestinian-run territory. The plan aims to rebuild infrastructure, increase the flow of goods, and open the Rafah crossing. A key component involves the newly formed National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a group of Palestinian technocrats, overseeing a transition period. The plan also includes a long-term vision with new construction and development, but with a buffer zone along the Israeli border. The US administration, represented by a "high representative," is committed to implementing these short-term goals within 100 days. The plan's success hinges on overcoming potential Israeli objections and disarming Hamas.