Oct 7, 2023 – Hamas launches a surprise attack on Israel, killing over 1,400 Israelis and seizing dozens of hostages, igniting a war that later underpins the U.S.–brokered ceasefire plan [7].

Oct 10, 2023 – A ceasefire begins, described by Qatar’s prime minister as a “pause” rather than a final settlement, halting major combat and enabling the first‑phase hostage exchanges that frame the two‑stage Trump peace framework [18].

Dec 7, 2025 – Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu tells reporters the ceasefire’s second phase—covering Hamas disarmament and Israeli troop withdrawal—could start by month‑end if Hamas returns the remains of Sergeant Ran Gvili; Hamas senior official Bassem Naim says the group is “very open‑minded” about freezing or storing its weapons [17][6].

Dec 8, 2025 – Netanyahu says the second phase is near completion, with Israeli withdrawal and an international security force pending, and confirms a meeting with President Trump on Dec 29 to finalize the stage; Hamas official Bassem Naim reiterates willingness to discuss weapon storage [3][6].

Dec 9, 2025 – Hamas political‑wing member Husam Badran demands full implementation of all first‑phase terms—including ending home demolitions—before any second‑phase move, while Palestinian health officials report at least 376 Gaza deaths since the Oct 10 truce [15][19].

Dec 12, 2025 – President Trump declares the first phase nearly finished after all but one hostage body is recovered, pushes a second phase that would disarm Hamas, launch reconstruction and create a “Board of Peace,” and ties progress to the return of Ran Gvili’s remains; the Rafah crossing stays closed despite a UN‑backed resolution authorizing a multinational force [5].

Dec 24, 2025 – Israel’s prime‑ministerial office accuses Hamas of breaching the ceasefire after an IDF soldier is wounded by an explosion in Rafah, reiterating that Hamas must disarm and return Gvili’s remains before phase two can proceed [8].

Dec 30, 2025 – In Florida with Netanyahu, President Trump says phase two will come “very quickly” once Hamas disarms, warns the United States could strike Iran if it resumes weapons programs, and repeats that reconstruction can begin after Hamas compliance [2].

Jan 6, 2026 – Netanyahu announces an agreement with the Trump administration to keep the Gaza‑side of Rafah closed until Hamas hands over Ran Gvili’s remains and says he will set a deadline for Hamas to accept disarmament, linking the crossing’s reopening to the hostage issue [7].

Jan 14, 2026 – U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff launches phase two of the Trump‑brokered Gaza ceasefire, establishing the 15‑member National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) led by Ali Shaath, tying full demilitarisation to the return of Gvili’s remains and warning of serious consequences for non‑compliance [1][14][21].

Jan 15, 2026 – The White House declares the ceasefire has entered its second phase, announcing a transitional technocratic Palestinian committee, the start of Hamas disarmament and a three‑year reconstruction effort, while Netanyahu calls the move “declarative” rather than substantive [12][13].

Jan 17, 2026 – The Trump administration reveals the roster of the Gaza governance panel, including former British PM Tony Blair and U.S. officials Rubio, Witkoff and Kushner, to head the Board of Peace that will oversee second‑phase implementation [11].

Jan 24, 2026 – U.S. envoys meet Netanyahu in Cairo, press Israel to move to phase two, and announce that Ali Shaath expects the Rafah crossing to reopen in both directions within the week, contingent on progress with Gvili’s remains [10].

Jan 25, 2026 – The Israel Defense Forces launch a large‑scale search for Ran Gvili near the Yellow Line, while Israel’s cabinet says it will open the Rafah crossing after the operation, and Hamas claims it has supplied all information on the remains [9].