What’s next in Gaza? Christians, here’s what you need to know – and pray about – as Trump moves ahead with Phase Two of his 20-Point Peace Plan
Also, President names ‘Board of Peace’ members – here’s the list
Given that Jesus Christ commanded His followers to “love your neighbors” and “love your enemies,” it follows that Christians must have – and demonstrate – a genuine love and compassion for the two million Palestinians suffering in Gaza.
The question is: How?
In such a dark, dangerous, and war-ravaged place, how can Christians love and care for the many widows and orphans in Gaza?
How can we care for those who are suffering physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual trauma in Gaza after two devastating years?
Yes, food and basic medical supplies are pouring into the Strip, but how can Christians help bring true hope and healing to those who have survived war and terror but are now cold and shivering in the driving rains and winter winds, without adequate housing, clothing, and other necessities?
What’s more, how can we encourage, strengthen, and support Palestinian Christians who live in Gaza – and help the Church there not just survive, but thrive?
WHAT DO CHRISTIANS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT WORLD & REGIONAL LEADERS ARE PLANNING IN GAZA?
Christians who are praying for ways to help – and God bless you; may your tribe increase – may find the following updates helpful.
Senior U.S., Arab, and Israeli sources tell ALL ARAB NEWS they are cautiously optimistic that three things can – and will – happen in the Gaza Strip in 2026.
1. Security will be established in the Israeli-controlled portion of the Gaza Strip known as the “Green Zone.”
If true, this will create quiet and calm – and conditions suitable to clear away rubble, remove unexploded ordnance, and begin building modest housing, schools, and humanitarian aid centers.
2. A growing number of international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will be vetted and approved by Israel for relief work and construction in the Green Zone.
Before New Year’s, Israel had already approved 23 NGOs. That number has now climbed to 24.
These include several Christian aid groups, including Samaritan’s Purse, led by Franklin Graham, one of the most well-known and influential Evangelicals in the world.
3. Multiple sources tell ALL ARAB NEWS that, for the foreseeable future, post-war Germany will be the model.
Under this framework, a “West Berlin” section of Gaza will be secured, cleared, and developed under Israeli supervision, while an “East Berlin” section will remain under Hamas control unless – or until – the group can be disarmed and removed.
We’re told that President Donald J. Trump and his team are leaning hard on Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt to convince Hamas to give up all its weapons, leave Gaza, and relocate to other countries in the Muslim world.
“I’m fairly optimistic,” a senior Arab source told me.
“I’d give it a 70% chance that Hamas will ultimately be persuaded to surrender and leave Gaza.”
“In the meantime, everyone is moving forward with the West Berlin / East Berlin model – where we all help make life better in the non-Hamas-controlled areas and show the rest of the Palestinians that their future is not with Hamas.”
WITH A LONG, MESSY, AND EXPENSIVE ROAD AHEAD, HOW SHOULD WE PRAY?
Make no mistake: The road to recovery and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip is going to be long, messy, and expensive.
The Israeli military currently controls about 58% of the war-torn territory, primarily along the eastern and northern borders with the Jewish state.
Hamas terrorists control the rest, including the coastline and major population centers such as Gaza City, Khan Younis, Rafah, and various refugee camps.
It is still not clear how – or even if – Hamas will be disarmed, a critical objective of the White House and a key selling point that helped persuade the Israeli government last October to agree to the plan and the ceasefire.
Nevertheless, after months of intensive discussions and shuttle diplomacy in the region and in Europe, senior Trump administration officials now believe they have assembled the right team and the right game plan to proceed.
Only time will tell if they’re right.
Let’s pray for peace and quiet to be established.
Let’s pray that steady, incremental progress can be made in developing the Green Zone.
Let’s pray that Christians around the world will generously support ministries that seek to care for those who are suffering in Gaza.
Let’s pray that churches can be reestablished in Gaza – and that Christians there can be the light of Christ in such a dark and weary place.
And let’s pray for a miracle: that Hamas will, in fact, lay down its weapons and leave – thus truly liberating Gaza from its evil once and for all.
WHO ARE THE PEOPLE PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS APPOINTED TO RUN THE ‘BOARD OF PEACE’ IN GAZA?
ALL ARAB NEWS will continue covering this story closely in the days, weeks, and months ahead.
The White House issued an important statement late Friday.
My colleagues and I are studying it carefully – and praying for every person listed.
We hope you will do the same.
Here is the statement:
Yesterday, President Donald J. Trump congratulated the formation of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a vital step forward in implementing Phase Two of his Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict — a 20-point roadmap for lasting peace, stability, reconstruction, and prosperity in the region.
The NCAG will be led by Dr. Ali Sha’ath, a widely respected technocratic leader who will oversee the restoration of core public services, the rebuilding of civil institutions, and the stabilization of daily life in Gaza, while laying the foundation for long-term, self-sustaining governance.
Dr. Sha’ath brings deep experience in public administration, economic development, and international engagement, and is widely respected for his pragmatic leadership and understanding of Gaza’s institutional realities.
This milestone aligns closely with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 (2025), which endorsed President Trump’s Comprehensive Plan and welcomed the establishment of the Board of Peace.
The Board of Peace will play an essential role in fulfilling all 20 points of the President’s plan by providing strategic oversight, mobilizing international resources, and ensuring accountability as Gaza transitions from conflict to peace and development.
To operationalize the Board of Peace’s vision — under the chairmanship of President Donald J. Trump — a founding Executive Board has been formed, composed of leaders with experience across diplomacy, development, infrastructure, and economic strategy.
The appointed members are:
Secretary Marco Rubio
Steve Witkoff
Jared Kushner
Sir Tony Blair
Marc Rowan
Ajay Banga
Robert Gabriel
Each Executive Board member will oversee a defined portfolio critical to Gaza’s stabilization and long-term success, including — but not limited to — governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilization.
In support of this operating model, the Chairman has appointed Aryeh Lightstone and Josh Gruenbaum as senior advisors to the Board of Peace, charged with leading day-to-day strategy and operations and translating the Board’s mandate and diplomatic priorities into disciplined execution.
H.E. Nickolay Mladenov, an Executive Board member, will serve as the High Representative for Gaza.
In this capacity, he will act as the on-the-ground link between the Board of Peace and the NCAG.
He will support the Board’s oversight of all aspects of Gaza’s governance, reconstruction, and development, while ensuring coordination across civilian and security pillars.
To establish security, preserve peace, and create a durable, terror-free environment, Major General Jasper Jeffers has been appointed Commander of the International Stabilization Force (ISF). He will lead security operations, support comprehensive demilitarization, and enable the safe delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials.
In support of the Office of the High Representative and the NCAG, a Gaza Executive Board is also being established.
The Board will help support effective governance and the delivery of best-in-class services that advance peace, stability, and prosperity for the people of Gaza.
The appointed members are:
Steve Witkoff
Jared Kushner
Minister Hakan Fidan
Ali Al-Thawadi
General Hassan Rashad
Sir Tony Blair
Marc Rowan
Minister Reem Al-Hashimy
Nickolay Mladenov
Yakir Gabay
Sigrid Kaag
The United States remains fully committed to supporting this transitional framework, working in close partnership with Israel, key Arab nations, and the international community to achieve the objectives of the Comprehensive Plan.
The President calls on all parties to cooperate fully with the NCAG, the Board of Peace, and the International Stabilization Force to ensure the swift and successful implementation of the Comprehensive Plan.
Additional Executive Board and Gaza Executive Board members will be announced in the coming weeks.
Joel C. Rosenberg is the editor-in-chief of ALL ISRAEL NEWS and ALL ARAB NEWS and the President and CEO of Near East Media. A New York Times best-selling author, Middle East analyst, and Evangelical leader, he lives in Jerusalem with his wife and sons.
