CaliToday (/2025): As the fragile peace in Gaza teeters on the edge of collapse, diplomatic eyes turn to Miami this Friday. In a critical bid to push a tenuous agreement into its next phase, Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s trusted Middle East envoy, is convening a closed-door summit with top officials from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey.
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| Special Envoy Steve Witkoff attends a meeting with Ukrainian officials Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Hallandale Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna) |
With mutual accusations of violations mounting between Israel and Hamas, the Miami talks represent a "make or break" moment for the U.S.-brokered truce that began on October 10, pausing over two years of devastating war.
The "Phase 2" Deadlock
The initial relief of the October truce which saw the return of hostages and an influx of Palestinian prisoners and aid has evaporated. The negotiations have now hit a wall regarding "Phase 2," an ambitious and highly complex roadmap for long-term stability.
According to State Department insiders, the agenda in Miami is fraught with challenges that have yet to be resolved:
The "Board of Peace": A unique feature of this deal is a proposed oversight committee chaired personally by President Trump. However, the board has not yet assembled, creating a power vacuum in the implementation process.
International Security Force: The plan calls for foreign boots on the ground to secure Gaza. However, the composition of this force is a major sticking point. Israel has expressed vehement opposition to the participation of certain nations, specifically Turkey, yet Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is confirmed to be at the table in Miami today.
Technocratic Governance: The transition requires an internationally supervised body to govern Gaza and the complete disarmament of Hamas—steps the militant group is resisting without further guarantees.
Voices from the Region: Frustration Mounts
The mediators are growing increasingly vocal about the stalling process. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, confirmed his attendance in Miami with a stern warning delivered via Al Jazeera.
"There is an urgent need to advance to the next phase and form a Palestinian civil administration," Sheikh Mohammed stated. He emphasized that any international force must remain neutral and not "protect one party at the expense of another."
The Qatari leader also accused Israel of repeated violations, warning that continued infractions risk undermining the entire agreement and placing mediators in an “embarrassing position.”
The Humanitarian Crisis & Remaining Hostages
While diplomats convene in Florida, the reality on the ground remains apocalyptic.
Gaza: Palestinians are struggling to bounce back from famine conditions that plagued the territory during the war. Food remains scarce, and Hamas is demanding immediate international pressure on Israel to open key border crossings.
Israel: The Israeli government remains firm on its demands, specifically requiring the return of the remains of Ran Gvili, the final hostage unaccounted for, before further concessions are made.
Grim Statistics of a Two-Year War
The urgency of the Miami summit is underscored by the staggering toll of the conflict sparked by the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.
Israeli Toll: Around 1,200 killed and 251 hostages taken (most of whom have now been returned).
Palestinian Toll: The Health Ministry in Gaza reports over 70,660 deaths after two years of bombardment, with women and children comprising roughly half of the casualties.
As Steve Witkoff sits down with regional powers today, the question remains: Can the "Trump plan" bridge the widening gap between a ceasefire on paper and peace on the ground?