First announced visit to Gaza for representatives of the “Peace Council” supported by Donald Trump

Representatives of the International Peace Council, a body created as part of an initiative supported by the American president Donald TrumpThey are expected to visit the Gaza Strip soon, according to reports Wednesday by the Israeli public broadcaster KAN. This would be the first official visit by this body to the Palestinian enclave since its creation earlier this year.

According to the Israeli broadcaster, representatives of Nickolay Mladenov, appointed by Donald Trump as the Council's top representative for Gaza, have submitted a formal request to the Israeli army for permission to enter the besieged Palestinian territory.

KAN reports that a source close to the Council stated that Hamas "did not understand that it had to disarm," adding that the elimination of leaders of the Al-Qassam Brigades was part of a process aimed at weakening the armed wing of the Palestinian movement. On Tuesday evening, Israeli airstrikes in western Gaza reportedly killed Mohammed Awda, described as a leader of the Al-Qassam Brigades.

According to Israeli media, Nickolay Mladenov recently presented a 15-point plan to implement the US initiative for Gaza. This plan would notably include the deployment of a multinational force called the "International Stabilization Force," whose representatives are also expected to visit the enclave next month.

According to KAN, the United States plans to increase its involvement in Gaza affairs following the easing of tensions with Iran. The anticipated visit of representatives from the Peace Council would thus be seen as an initial sign of a greater American commitment to post-war management.

The White House announced on January 16 the establishment of new transitional governance structures for Gaza, including the Peace Council, an Executive Council for Gaza, a National Committee for the Administration of the Territory and an international stabilization force.

This initiative is part of a broader plan proposed by Donald Trump to end the conflict in the Gaza Strip. According to Palestinian authorities, more than 72,000 people have been killed since the start of the Israeli offensive launched in October 2023, while more than 172,000 others have been wounded, mostly women and children.