The Briefing Phase two of the ceasefire: what comes next for Gaza?
Jan 15, 2026
Nada Al-Tahir, a Senior foreign reporter at The National, shares vital insights on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan, discussing the challenges of disarmament and the complexities of humanitarian access. Meanwhile, Thomas Chatterton Williams, a Staff writer at The Atlantic, reflects on the unrest in Minneapolis, advocating for disciplined nonviolent protest strategies. He emphasizes the need for Democrats to offer a compelling vision during this period of national division and exhaustion.
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Ceasefire Undermined By Continued Operations
- Israel continues kinetic operations and restricts aid and reconstruction access, undermining the ceasefire's intent.
- Nada Al-Tahir notes US backing complicates checks on Israeli actions, limiting immediate progress on disarmament and withdrawals.
Pressure Mediators To Secure Practical Access
- Mediators like Egypt and Qatar must press both Israel and Hamas to meet commitments and facilitate access for reconstruction work.
- Nada Al-Tahir implies mediators should insist on rubble-clearing and humanitarian machinery entry to locate hostages and rebuild infrastructure.
Polarisation Deepened By Provocations
- Thomas Chatterton Williams says US politics feel more authoritarian and deeply divided, shaped by reactions to left-wing excesses and an aggressive Trump administration.
- He argues provocative federal actions like ICE deployments intensify polarisation and erode shared reality across communities.
