Israeli and Qatari officials held a high-level meeting in New York, facilitated by a United States envoy, marking the first such encounter since Israel's failed September strike on Hamas offices in Qatar strained relations. The meeting aimed to restore cooperation and address grievances, with a focus on advancing the Gaza ceasefire to its next phase. This second phase is expected to address Hamas's disarmament, the demilitarization and rebuilding of Gaza, and the establishment of new governance and security structures for the region. Qatar has stated it will limit its financial support to humanitarian aid rather than reconstruction, raising questions about who will fund Gaza's rebuilding. While mediators hope to announce progress by year's end, significant challenges remain, including securing Hamas's agreement to relinquish power and disarm.