The Gaza Peace Plan Has Stalled. Trump Reportedly Urged Netanyahu to Advance It.

President Donald Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to move forward with the Gaza peace plan approved by his Board of Peace, according to a new report.

The plan has been stalled for months, largely as a result of uncertainty tied to the Israeli elections, which took place in late October, according to Axios.

Both Israel and Hamas, which rules Gaza, agreed to the first phase of the 20-point plan, which led to a ceasefire and the release of the last hostages kept in the enclave.

The plan then contemplated disarming Hamas, demilitarizing Gaza and having a Palestinian technocratic government take over.

The Board of Peace reached an agreement with Hamas in July to do so, the outlet said, but Netanyahu's government has not allowed its implementation. The prime minister is reportedly skeptical of Hamas' commitments and believes its rearming and seeking to maintain control.

Netanyahu has said that the Israel Defense Forces would not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas is 'genuinely disarmed', adding that the country would continue acting against threats to its troops and citizens. Netanyahu also made clear that he believes disarmament must include both heavy and lighter weapons, rather than a limited surrender of military capabilities.

Israeli intelligence officials presented a report to U.S. counterparts in October claiming that Hamas has no intention of disarming and is seeking to build up forces in Gaza again, according to another report.

The Israel Defense Forces concluded that Hamas repaired its tunnel system in Gaza and continues to produce weapons in the areas it still controls, also managing to bring back its number of operatives to between 35,000 and 40,000, the figure before the war began.

Elsewhere, Axios detailed that the call between Trump and Netanyahu was initiated by the latter and was constructive. A day later, former British Prime Minister and Board of Peace member Tony Blair visited Israel and met with both Netanyahu and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot, who has been tasked with forming a government after the elections.

A previous report detailed that the recovery plan for Gaza is worth $2.45 billion. It features temporary housing, rubble removal, hospital repairs as well as funds for economic recovery. It also includes the deployment of a multinational security force. The plan is a first step, as it estimates physical damage in Gaza at more than $35 billion and will require twice the amount over the next decade.