The United States has taken the next step in its efforts to resolve the conflict in Gaza, announcing the start of phase two of President Donald Trump’s plan. The move introduces a temporary Palestinian technocratic government and seeks to move Gaza from a fragile ceasefire toward reconstruction and disarmament.
US envoy Steve Witkoff explained that the second phase builds on previous agreements reached under phase one, which included a ceasefire in October, a prisoner and hostage exchange, partial Israeli withdrawal, and a surge of humanitarian aid.
Phase two will focus on rebuilding the territory and ensuring full demilitarisation, including the disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups. Witkoff emphasized the seriousness of compliance.
"The US expects Hamas to comply fully with its obligations," he said. He added that these obligations include returning the body of the last dead Israeli hostage. "Failure to do so will bring serious consequences."
Challenges remain, including Hamas’s refusal to disarm without the promise of an independent Palestinian state and Israel’s lack of commitment to a full withdrawal from Gaza.
The ceasefire itself has shown signs of fragility, with both sides accusing the other of repeated breaches. Nearly 450 Palestinians have died in Israeli strikes since the truce began, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. The UN has also raised alarms over dire humanitarian conditions and the urgent need for unrestricted aid.
Witkoff described phase two as a major step in the transformation of Gaza.
"With the launch of phase two of Trump's 20-point peace plan on Wednesday, Gaza was moving from ceasefire to demilitarisation, technocratic governance, and reconstruction," he said.
He also outlined: "Phase Two establishes a transitional technocratic Palestinian administration in Gaza, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), and begins the full demilitarization and reconstruction of Gaza, primarily the disarmament of all unauthorized personnel."
Regional mediators Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey welcomed the establishment of the new administration, calling it the Palestinian Technocratic Committee to Administer the Gaza Strip. They said it will help strengthen stability and ease the humanitarian crisis.
The 15-member committee will be led by Ali Shaath, a former deputy planning minister in the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank. Gaza’s interim administration will operate under the supervision of a Board of Peace chaired by Trump, as outlined in his 20-point plan. Announcements about the board, including its operations during Trump’s upcoming visit to Davos, are expected soon.
Nickolay Mladenov, former UN envoy to the Middle East, will serve as the board’s on-the-ground representative in Gaza. The plan also envisions the deployment of an International Stabilisation Force to train vetted Palestinian police forces.
On Wednesday, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad said they will support the formation of the technocratic government "while providing the appropriate environment" for it to operate. The Palestinian Authority also expressed approval.
Vice-President Hussein al-Sheikh said Trump’s guidance urged all Palestinian factions and institutions to "ensure the success of this critical transitional phase". He highlighted the importance of coordinating institutions in Gaza and the West Bank to maintain "the principle of one system, one law, and one legitimate weapon".
According to the plan, the Palestinian Authority will assume full governance of Gaza after completing reforms and demonstrating its ability to manage the territory "securely and effectively".
Meanwhile, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office said Netanyahu had spoken to Itzik and Talik Gvili, parents of Ran Gvili, the last dead hostage in Gaza. He assured them that "Ran's return is a top priority and that the declaratory move regarding the establishment of a technocratic committee will not affect the efforts to return Ran for a Jewish burial".
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum insisted: "There is no phase 2 while Ran Gvili in Gaza. Phase Rani must come first."
Israel has accused Hamas of deliberately delaying the recovery of Gvili’s remains and stated that the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, a key phase one obligation, will remain closed until the body is returned.
Gvili was among the 251 people abducted during Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which also left approximately 1,200 people dead. Israel responded with military strikes in Gaza that have killed more than 71,430 people, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
