The United States has announced the start of phase two of President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza, establishing a technocratic Palestinian government in the territory.
US envoy Steve Witkoff said the second phase would focus on the reconstruction and full demilitarisation of Gaza, including the disarmament of Hamas and other Palestinian groups.
“The US expects Hamas to comply fully with its obligations,” Witkoff warned, noting these include the return of the body of the last dead Israeli hostage. “Failure to do so will bring serious consequences.”
Phase one of the plan, implemented in October, saw a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, a hostage-prisoner exchange, a partial Israeli withdrawal, and an aid surge.
Potential Challenges
Two aspects of phase two could prove difficult:
- Hamas has historically refused to disarm without the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
- Israel has not committed to a full withdrawal from Gaza.
The ceasefire remains fragile, with both sides accusing each other of repeated violations. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, almost 450 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the ceasefire took effect.
Humanitarian conditions in Gaza also remain dire, with the UN calling for the unrestricted flow of critical supplies.
Witkoff stated that phase two marks a transition from ceasefire to demilitarisation, technocratic governance, and reconstruction.
“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,” he said.
Regional mediators including Egypt, Gaza, and Turkey welcomed the formation of the Palestinian Technocratic Committee to Administer the Gaza Strip, stating it would support stability and improve the humanitarian situation.
The 15-member committee will be headed by Ali Shaath, a former deputy planning minister in the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Gaza’s transitional administration will operate under a “Board of Peace”, chaired by Trump. Announcements regarding the board are expected in the coming days, including details coinciding with the president’s visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Nickolay Mladenov, former UN Middle East envoy from Bulgaria, is set to represent the board on the ground in Gaza. Trump’s plan also calls for the deployment of an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) to train and support vetted Palestinian police forces.
Support from Palestinian Factions
On Wednesday, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) released a joint statement supporting the formation of the technocratic government, pledging to provide a suitable environment for it to begin work.
The PA, dominated by Hamas’s rival Fatah, also expressed support.
Vice-President Hussein al-Sheikh emphasized the importance of linking institutions in the West Bank and Gaza to uphold the principle of “one system, one law, and one legitimate weapon.”
Under Trump’s plan, the PA will assume control of Gaza once it has implemented necessary reforms “securely and effectively.”
Israel and the Hostage Issue
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke Wednesday evening with the parents of Ran Gvili, the last deceased hostage in Gaza.
“His return is a top priority,” Netanyahu’s office said, adding that establishing the technocratic committee “will not affect efforts to return Ran for a Jewish burial.”
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum insisted:
“There is no phase 2 while Ran Gvili is in Gaza. Phase Rani must come first.”
Israel has accused Hamas of deliberately delaying the recovery of Gvili’s remains and stated it will not reopen the Rafah border crossing until the body is returned.
Ran Gvili was among 251 people abducted during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which also left approximately 1,200 people dead. Israel’s military campaign in Gaza following the attack has killed more than 71,430 people, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
