An Israeli political source confirmed that the primary objective at this stage is to complete the first phase of President Donald Trump’s Gaza “peace initiative,” adding that implementation is now imminent.
According to Israeli estimates, additional remains of Israeli captives in Gaza may be recovered by Friday. “Israel believes Hamas is capable of returning all of them,” the source said.
These remarks followed high-level meetings between the U.S. Vice President and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside senior Israeli officials.
Israel has reportedly informed the Trump administration that it does not oppose immediate reconstruction efforts in Gaza, specifically in areas south and east of the so-called “Yellow Line.”
This demarcation, introduced in Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan, marks the boundary of Israel’s initial military withdrawal. It stretches from northern Gaza to the outskirts of Rafah and currently separates Israeli-controlled zones from areas designated for phased rebuilding1.
While Israeli officials describe these zones as “unpopulated and free of Hamas presence,” Gaza’s Government Media Office warns that the line has become a “death zone”, with Israeli forces forcibly displacing residents from eastern districts and opening fire on civilians who approach it.
What was intended as a ceasefire boundary has become a de facto border of occupation. As of mid-October, Israel retains control over nearly 58% of Gaza’s territory, including key neighborhoods in Gaza City, Beit Lahia, Khan Younis, and Rafah2.
The scale of destruction in Gaza is staggering. According to UN assessments, 83% of buildings in Gaza City have been damaged or destroyed, displacing most of its population. Across the Strip, 78% of all structures are affected, generating over 61 million tons of debris.
The bombing and shelling have killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, wounded over 170,000, and displaced 2.1 million people—95% of Gaza’s population—since October 7, 2023.
Famine has been confirmed in multiple governorates, with 641,000 people facing catastrophic hunger and 1.14 million in emergency conditions. Nearly 90% of water and sanitation infrastructure is damaged, and only 14 of 36 hospitals remain partially functional4.
Despite the devastation, Israeli officials insist that reconstruction must be led by entities “not hostile to Israel.”
“We have made it clear to the Americans that we will approve rebuilding only if led by neutral or friendly actors,” the source said. “High-end development there will help advance the second phase of Trump’s plan.”
Another key issue discussed was the formation of an international stabilization force. “Israel has drawn a clear red line: Turkish troops will not enter Gaza,” the source stated. “The Americans agreed, and Israel is satisfied with the outcome. There is progress in forming the international force.”
Verified Source Links:
- Trump’s 20-point Gaza Plan BBC News
- Yellow Line and Israeli control: Al Jazeera, GlobalSecurity.org
- Gaza destruction and humanitarian impact: UN OCHA Snapshot
- Famine confirmation: UNICEF Press Release
References (4)
- Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan in full. https://ca.news.yahoo.com/trumps-20-point-gaza-peace-061332100.html
- Map of Gaza shows how Israeli forces will withdraw under ceasefire deal | Israel-Palestine conflict News | Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/9/map-of-gaza-shows-how-israeli-forces-will-withdraw-under-ceasefire-deal
- Gaza_Reported_Impact_Snapshot_15_October_2025-final. https://www.ochaopt.org/sites/default/files/Gaza_Reported_Impact_Snapshot_15_October_2025.pdf
- Famine confirmed for first time in Gaza. https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/famine-confirmed-first-time-gaza
