The Trump administration plans to announce before Christmas that the Gaza peace process is moving into its second phase and to unveil a new governance structure for the enclave, according to two U.S. officials and a Western source involved in the discussions.

U.S. officials say the administration aims to advance the process to prevent a breakdown of the fragile ceasefire, which has been in place since Oct. 11. Since the truce began, Israeli strikes have killed 366 Palestinians, while several Israeli soldiers have been killed in attacks by Hamas.

One central component of the first phase — the release by Hamas of all hostages, both alive and deceased — is nearly complete. The remains of one deceased hostage have not yet been returned. An Israeli delegation met Thursday with Qatari and Egyptian mediators to discuss the issue.

Under U.S. pressure, Israel has reopened the Rafah crossing to allow Palestinians to exit Gaza for Egypt. Israel, Egypt, and the U.S. are continuing discussions on security arrangements that could eventually allow movement in the opposite direction.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet President Trump in the U.S. before the end of the month to review the next phase of the agreement. Trump told Netanyahu during a phone call Monday that he expects improved cooperation on Gaza.

The second phase includes further Israeli withdrawals from Gaza, the deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF), and the introduction of a new governing structure led by the Trump-created Board of Peace.

The UN Security Council has authorized both the ISF and the new governance framework. U.S. officials say final preparations are underway, with the goal of introducing the full plan within two to three weeks.

“All of the different elements are pretty well advanced,” a Western source familiar with the talks said. “The aim is to announce it before people break for the holidays.

The proposed new governance structure for Gaza centers on a three-tiered system designed to be led and overseen by international actors.

At the top would sit a "Board of Peace," directly chaired by U.S. President Donald Trump and consisting of roughly ten leaders from allied Arab and Western nations. Reporting to this board would be an "International Executive Board," operationalizing the plan with members like former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Trump advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, and other senior officials from Board of Peace countries.

The day-to-day administration within Gaza would fall to a "Palestinian Technocratic Government" of 12 to 15 individuals, selected for their managerial or business expertise and required to have no ties to Hamas, Fatah, or any existing Palestinian political faction.

Sources involved in the vetting process say the initial list of 25 candidates has been narrowed by about half. Some candidates currently reside in Gaza, while others abroad are willing to return to take part in the new government. The U.S. is close to securing agreement on the final composition with Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and regional governments.

Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, and Türkiye are among the countries willing to contribute troops to the ISF. The force will deploy in areas of Gaza currently under Israeli military control, which U.S. officials say will enable additional Israeli withdrawals.

The plan calls for coordination between the ISF, the technocratic government, Israel, and Egypt.

The U.S., Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey are also engaged in discussions with Hamas on a proposal under which the group would give up governing Gaza and begin a phased disarmament process.

According to sources, the proposal requires Hamas to surrender heavy weapons first and later begin decommissioning lighter arms. Officials from Egypt and Qatar believe an agreement is possible, though Netanyahu remains cautious but willing to proceed.

U.S. officials say they want all elements of the second phase ready and endorsed by regional governments before presenting the final proposal to Hamas.

A White House official said announcements regarding the Board of Peace and further implementation of the plan will be made in the coming weeks.

“The Trump administration and our partners are working diligently to implement President Trump’s 20-point plan intended to support security and economic stability in Gaza and the region,” the official said. (ILKHA)