The world has focused its collective attention on Iran.
All the elements needed for the perfect story of danger and intrigue are right there.
Students are rising up against an oppressive totalitarian regime. U.S. President Donald J. Trump backing – even seemingly egging on, the protesters.
Elon Musk air-dropping satellite communications to help the protesters organize and resist the evil regime.
No doubt the situation unfolding in Iran is newsworthy and should be covered, but . . . it's not the only story unfolding in the global arena.
Other stories, important stories, have been neglected or relegated to back page while eyes and ears are on the Persian nation.
The most important of those stories, a story that led international coverage for almost two years is --- Gaza.
The Trump Plan for Gaza recently officially moved to Stage II.
This is an extremely significant step on the part of the U.S. administration.
Jerusalem is livid.
Conditions originally, officially, set for moving on have not yet been met.
Stage I was not completed.
All hostages – alive and murdered, must be returned to Israel.
The hostage body and remains of one kidnapped Israeli, Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, as of this writing, have still not been transferred to Israel, for proper burial.
Israelis are up in arms.
The families of the victims have been placing significant pressure on leaders in Israel and the U.S. trying to convince then not to move ahead until every last kidnapped body had been returned and properly buried.
Why?
Because the United States, the undisputed friend and ally of Israel, has unilaterally decided that the time has come to move on.
Hamas and Palestinian Islamic jihad may not know the location of the hostage body.
Israel is looking hard and searching using high tech machinery, to no avail. But a deal is a deal. And the United States, it seems, has run out of patience.
President Trump is a leader of action – it is one of his virtues.
Indecisiveness does not describe him. He decides, then acts. He believes in the big win.
In this case, he has lost patience, he wants to move on to the next stage.
The United States has been setting the groundwork for Stage II for weeks now.
Many watching believed it was going to happen.
Now, with the eyes and the minds of the world on Iran, it was strategically wise to advance.
The hope was that the goings-on in Iran would distract the world’s focus and minimize debate and the possibility of scuttling the launch of Stage II.
The return of Ran Gvili's body is an emotional issue for Israel, but there are other, military and security issues, still left unresolved from Phase I.
Issues which, without a serious resolution, could end up upending all of Phase II.
Hamas still has 30,000 armed men in their ranks and recruitment is increasing daily.
Hamas has blatantly refused to disarm.
These were keystones of the Phase I agreement – that is to say, not mere suggestions.
Thus far, there is no practical mechanism to disarm Hamas short of Israel, once again, entering Gaza.
And that’s not all.
There is the Gaza Board of Peace to be contended with.
When the Trump team announced the Gaza Board of Peace, over 60 countries were invited.
Those countries who accept are asked to cough up $1 billion for the right to a permanent seat on the board and participation in determining the future of Gaza.
Other countries will serve for three years.
Qatar and Turkey, at best problematic countries are on the list.
Israel has made its objections known.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has publicly posted disapproval.
The Trump team's counter, as quoted in the Israeli media reads, "We did not tell Netanyahu in advance about the composition of the executive committee.
"He did not expect there to be representatives from Turkey and Qatar, but Gaza is now our show, not his show."
"If he [Netanyahu] wants the Trump administration to deal with Gaza - we will do it our way."
The U.S. statement detailed the leaders and a plan of action. Dr. Ali Shaath. Shaath has a doctorate in civil engineering from Queen's University in Belfast, Ireland.
He was the deputy minister holding the Transportation Planning portfolios.
Dr. Shaath will lead the technocratic National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), which 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."
Also, former UN Mideast envoy Nickolay Mladenov will have an executive role "on the ground" as the High Representative for Gaza and serve as a link between the BoP and the NCAG administration.
The Interim Security Force (ISF) will be commanded by Major General Jasper Jeffers.
He will "lead security operations, support comprehensive demilitarization, and enable the safe delivery of humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials."
And according to the U.S. announcement: the Gaza Executive Board will provide "support effective governance and the delivery of best-in-class services that advance peace, stability, and prosperity for the people of Gaza.
President Trump made it very clear. He said: "I am backing a newly appointed Palestinian Technocratic Government, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, supported by the Board's High Representative, to govern Gaza during its transition."
This is a very bold and optimistic plan. On paper it is a very good plan.
The big problem, the sticking point - is Hamas.
Hamas is still in place.
Hamas is armed, organized and growing.
Hamas has no incentive to change if Phase II is implemented as planned. Once you begin Phase II there is no pressure or need for Hamas to live up to its end of Phase I.
Micah Halpern is a political and foreign affairs commentator. He founded "The Micah Report" and hosts "Thinking Out Loud with Micah Halpern," a weekly TV program, and "My Chopp," a daily radio spot. Follow him on Twitter @MicahHalpern. Read more Micah Halpern Insider articles — Click Here Now.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.