The United States has launched phase two of President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza, with the establishment of a technocratic Palestinian government tasked with overseeing the territory’s transition from conflict to reconstruction.
US envoy Steve Witkoff announced the move on Wednesday, saying the new phase would shift Gaza from a fragile ceasefire toward full demilitarisation, technocratic governance and large-scale rebuilding. The plan includes the disarmament of Hamas and other armed Palestinian groups, alongside the reconstruction of Gaza’s devastated infrastructure.
Phase two follows a ceasefire agreement reached in October under phase one, which included a hostage-prisoner exchange, a partial Israeli withdrawal and an increase in humanitarian aid. However, Witkoff warned that Hamas must fully comply with its obligations, including the return of the body of the last deceased Israeli hostage. He said failure to do so would bring “serious consequences.”
Two major obstacles remain. Hamas has repeatedly said it will not give up its weapons without the creation of an independent Palestinian state, while Israel has not committed to a full withdrawal from Gaza. The ceasefire itself remains fragile, with both sides accusing each other of violations and hundreds of Palestinians reportedly killed in Israeli strikes since it began.
Under the plan, Gaza will be governed by a 15-member National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, headed by Ali Shaath, a former Palestinian Authority deputy planning minister. The committee will operate under the supervision of a “Board of Peace,” chaired by Trump, with former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov expected to act as the board’s representative in Gaza.
Regional mediators Egypt, Qatar and Turkey welcomed the formation of the technocratic administration, saying it could help stabilise Gaza and improve humanitarian conditions. Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad said they would support the government’s formation, while the Palestinian Authority also expressed backing, stressing the need for unified governance across Gaza and the West Bank.
Trump’s plan also calls for the deployment of an International Stabilisation Force to train and support vetted Palestinian police units. The Palestinian Authority is expected to assume full control of Gaza once it completes reforms and can govern “securely and effectively.”
Meanwhile, tensions remain over the fate of Ran Gvili, the last dead Israeli hostage still in Gaza. Israel has said his return is a priority and has linked further steps under the ceasefire to the handover of his remains. The war began after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed, followed by an Israeli military campaign that Gaza’s health ministry says has killed more than 71,000 people.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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