EXCLUSIVE: United States Ambassador to the United Nations Michael Waltz recently returned from a Middle East swing, touting the "amazing progress" in the implementation of President Donald Trump’s Israel–Gaza peace deal.

Getting both sides to move onto the second stage is a huge challenge for Washington, as Gazans continue to suffer the longer it takes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition on Wednesday boycotted a Knesset vote endorsing US President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza.

The Trump administration is planning to appoint an American two-star general to command the International Stabilization Force in Gaza, Axios reported on Thursday, citing two U.S. officials and two Israeli officials.

Despite promising to stay on the sidelines this administration, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner has become enmeshed in critical diplomatic negotiations.

Analysts warn that Phase 2 of the ceasefire presents a host of complex challenges that could slow or even stall the process.

Qatar’s leader cautioned that the Gaza cease-fire has reached a “critical moment” on Saturday, claiming that international mediators are working “to force the way forward” to the second phase of the fragile peace deal.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Reuters on Saturday that not advancing the U.S.-backed Gaza ceasefire plan to its next stage would be a "huge failure" for the world and Washington, noting that President Donald Trump had personally led the push.