The United States has officially launched the second phase of President Donald Trump’s peace initiative aimed at ending the war in Gaza, with plans for a technocratic Palestinian administration to take over governance of the territory.
US envoy Steve Witkoff announced the development on Wednesday, saying phase two marks a transition from a ceasefire to reconstruction, demilitarisation and interim civilian rule in Gaza after more than two years of conflict.
Recall that phase one of the plan, agreed in October, produced a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, alongside a hostage-prisoner exchange, a limited Israeli troop withdrawal and an increase in humanitarian aid deliveries.
According to Witkoff, the next phase includes the establishment of a transitional technocratic body to administer Gaza, the start of large-scale reconstruction, and the complete demilitarisation of the enclave, including the disarmament of Hamas and other armed factions.
“The United States expects Hamas to fully meet its obligations, including the return of the remains of the last deceased Israeli hostage,” Witkoff said, warning that failure to comply would result in “serious consequences.”
Despite the announcement, major obstacles remain. Hamas has repeatedly rejected calls to surrender its weapons without the creation of an independent Palestinian state, while Israel has yet to commit to a full withdrawal from Gaza.
The ceasefire itself remains fragile, with both sides accusing one another of violations. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry says nearly 450 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the truce began.
Humanitarian conditions in Gaza also remain severe. The United Nations has continued to warn that unrestricted access for aid and essential supplies is critical to averting further suffering.
In his statement, Witkoff said the launch of phase two of Trump’s 20-point peace plan signalled Gaza’s movement toward “demilitarisation, technocratic governance, and reconstruction.”
The plan establishes a transitional authority known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), which will oversee governance while demilitarisation and rebuilding efforts begin.
It also calls for the disarmament of all unauthorised armed groups.
Regional mediators Egypt, Qatar and Turkey welcomed the announcement, describing the new body as a “Palestinian Technocratic Committee to Administer the Gaza Strip” and expressing hope that it would help stabilise the region and improve humanitarian conditions.
They disclosed that the 15-member committee will be chaired by Ali Shaath, a former deputy planning minister in the Palestinian Authority (PA), which currently governs parts of the occupied West Bank.
Under Trump’s plan, the interim administration will operate under the oversight of a “Board of Peace,” to be chaired by the US president. Further details about the board are expected in the coming days, including during Trump’s planned visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos next week.
Former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov is expected to serve as the board’s on-the-ground representative in Gaza.
The plan also stipulates deployment of an International Stabilisation Force to train and support vetted Palestinian police units.
Earlier on Wednesday, Hamas and its ally, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, said in a joint statement that they would support the formation of the technocratic government and help create conditions for it to function. The Palestinian Authority, dominated by Fatah, also endorsed the move.
PA Vice-President Hussein al-Sheikh urged all Palestinian factions to ensure the success of the transition, stressing the need for unified governance across Gaza and the West Bank under “one system, one law, and one legitimate weapon.”
The plan envisages the PA assuming full control of Gaza once it completes institutional reforms and is deemed capable of governing securely and effectively.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he spoke with the parents of Ran Gvili, the last deceased Israeli hostage believed to be in Gaza, reaffirming that the recovery of his remains remains a top priority.
However, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum insisted that no second phase could proceed while Gvili’s body remains in Gaza, calling for his return to take precedence over political arrangements.
Israel has accused Hamas of deliberately delaying the handover of the 24-year-old police officer’s remains and has said it will not reopen the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, an obligation under phase one, until this is resolved.
Gvili was among the 251 people abducted during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has claimed more than 71,430 lives, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
US begins phase two of Gaza Peace Plan, announces technocratic Palestinian government
