Uncertainty hangs over Trump's Gaza plan as mediators gather in Doha

Mediators are set to meet on Friday to discuss the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, amid continued uncertainty over the implementation of US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan.

Ahead of the discussions, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday in Doha, where the pair discussed the transition to the second phase.

"We first had the opportunity to discuss the status of the ceasefire in Gaza and the urgent need to move to the second phase, as well as the formation of a Palestinian civil government or administration as soon as possible, because the current situation puts the agreement at risk every day,” Sheikh Mohammed told Al Jazeera after the meeting.

The two diplomats also discussed the plans for an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) - a key part of the second phase, as outlined in the Trump plan.

"We do not want a stabilisation force in Gaza that serves to protect one party at the expense of another," the Qatari prime minister said.

Broader meetings were also held in Doha on Wednesday regarding the ISF, with diplomats emerging from the talks saying that uncertainty still hangs over the plan, Israel's Ynet News reported.

It cited unnamed diplomats who said that it was still unclear what the force would look like, with Washington still assessing the level of involvement of each country.

According to the report, the US requested that participating states detail their potential contribution, including the number of soldiers, financial support, and training. Indonesia, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Bangladesh were among the states that said may participate.

The inclusion of Azerbaijan contradicted reports from the same day, which said that the Central Asian country was moving away from a role in the ISF.

A report from Haaretz, citing unnamed sources, said Azerbaijan did not participate in Tuesday's round of talks on the ISF. It added that Baku was now not keen on joining the Abraham Accords.

Ynet's report added that key questions over the ISF's role also remain unanswered, including the rules of engagement, instructions regarding opening fire, and what type of weapons will be used.

Israel has continued to bomb Gaza, despite the 10 October ceasefire with hundreds killed since then, and repeated warnings from international bodies and mediators.

Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians also face the threat of severe winter weather conditions and collapsing buildings, which have killed at least 16 people in recent days, according to Gaza's health ministry.

On Thursday, the ministry announced the death of a one-month-old infant due to exposure to the winter cold.