Israel-Hamas ceasefire live updates: Israeli security cabinet voting on deal
NBCJan 19
Hamas Says Negotiations for Gaza Cease-fire Second Phase Have Begun
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Above: Palestinians attend the funeral ceremony of Ahmed Awad Shahin and Muhammad Hassan Abu Nar, commanders in the al-Qassam Brigades who were killed during an Israeli attack, at Nuseirat camp in Deir al Balah, Gaza on Feb. 4, 2025. Image copyright: Moiz Salhi/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Facts
Hamas said on Tuesday that negotiations over the cease-fire in Gaza's second phase have begun as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet with US Pres. Donald Trump. Netanyahu has indicated multiple times that Israel reserves "the right to return to fighting."
US officials indicated that the Trump admin. seeks to present a "united" front with Israel as the cease-fire moves into the second phase, with members of Trump's cabinet saying that Hamas cannot govern Gaza. Since the cease-fire came into effect, Hamas has reasserted its control across the strip.
Trump has called for Palestinians in Gaza to be displaced to neighboring Arab countries, with administration officials on Tuesday saying that "it wouldn't be humane for Palestinians to have to live in those conditions during the 10 to 15 years" it would take to rebuild Gaza.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Trump's proposal only emboldens extremists in the Israeli government, which is why the Biden administration was against such a move. Furthermore, relocating Palestinians from Gaza could destabilize Jordan and Egypt — two critical US allies in the region.
Pro-Israel narrative
Trump understands that as long as Hamas and other radical Islamist groups remain on Israel's doorstep, there will always be more conflict and misery. Trump's suggestion to relocate the Palestinians is a move of compassion that would both ensure the safety of civilians and Israel's security.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Only the most ill-informed of people do not recognize that Trump's suggestion equates to the forcible deportation and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians — violating fundamental tenets of international law and the Geneva Conventions. Indeed, this was the plan all along, as even the Biden administration floated the idea of forcibly displacing Palestinians from Gaza.
