Lead: The United States on Wednesday announced the start of phase two of former President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan, saying a technocratic Palestinian administration will begin governance as reconstruction and full demilitarisation are launched in Gaza after two years of war. US special envoy Steve Witkoff framed the step as moving from ceasefire to disarmament, reconstruction and interim technocratic rule, while warning of consequences if Hamas fails to comply. The move follows the October ceasefire, hostage-prisoner exchanges and a partial Israeli withdrawal under phase one, but key disagreements remain over disarmament, territorial withdrawal and the status of hostages.
Key Takeaways
- US envoy Steve Witkoff announced phase two on Wednesday, declaring the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) will begin transitional governance and reconstruction in Gaza.
- The plan calls for full demilitarisation of Gaza, including disarmament of Hamas and other groups; the US warned of “serious consequences” for non-compliance.
- The 15-member technocratic committee will be chaired by Ali Shaath, a former Palestinian Authority deputy planning minister, and overseen by a Board of Peace led by Donald Trump.
- Phase two includes an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) to train vetted Palestinian police and support security sector reforms in Gaza.
- Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad reportedly said they will support formation of the technocratic committee; the PA and regional mediators Egypt and Turkey welcomed the announcement.
- The ceasefire remains fragile: Gaza’s health ministry reports almost 450 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes since the October ceasefire took effect.
- Israel has not committed to a full withdrawal from Gaza; Israeli officials say the Rafah crossing will remain closed until the remains of the last dead Israeli hostage, Ran Gvili, are returned.
- Humanitarian agencies, including the UN, emphasize the urgent need for unfettered delivery of food, medical supplies and fuel to address dire conditions in Gaza.
Background
Phase two follows a ceasefire brokered in October that ended intense hostilities after the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack that resulted in roughly 1,200 deaths in Israel and the abduction of 251 people, according to Israeli counts. Under the first phase, parties agreed to a hostage-prisoner exchange, a partial Israeli pullback from some positions in Gaza, and an increase in humanitarian assistance into the territory. The plan that the US now seeks to advance was presented as a 20-point framework three months ago and envisions a staged transition from ceasefire to stabilisation and eventual transfer of authority to reformed Palestinian institutions.
The proposal allocates roles to international and regional actors: a Board of Peace chaired by Trump would provide strategic oversight, foreign mediators would support implementation, and an International Stabilisation Force would help professionalize local security forces. The Palestinian Authority (PA) — dominant in the West Bank and rival to Hamas — is planned to assume formal governance of Gaza only after the technocratic committee completes reforms and demonstrates it can govern “securely and effectively.” This sequencing reflects longstanding disputes over sovereignty, security and the conditions for Palestinian statehood.
Main Event
On Wednesday US envoy Steve Witkoff publicly declared the start of phase two, naming the transitional body the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) and outlining priorities: demilitarisation, reconstruction and the establishment of vetted security forces. He stressed that disarmament of “unauthorised personnel” is a central requirement and repeated Washington’s expectation that Hamas comply fully, including returning the remains of the last dead Israeli hostage.
Regional mediators — Egypt and Turkey — and Gaza authorities said they welcomed the technocratic committee, presenting it as a potential stabilising force and a route to improved humanitarian access. The committee is to be 15 members and reportedly led by Ali Shaath, a former PA deputy planning minister; Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov is named as the Board of Peace’s on-the-ground representative.
Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad issued a joint statement saying they would support forming the technocratic administration “while providing the appropriate environment” for it to begin work, according to officials. The PA publicly backed the effort; Vice-President Hussein al-Sheikh urged all Palestinian factions and institutions to collaborate to ensure success and emphasised linking West Bank and Gaza institutions under unified legal and security standards.
Israel’s government responded with caution. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he spoke to the parents of Ran Gvili, described him as a priority, and reiterated that Israel will not reopen the Rafah crossing — an obligation under phase one — until Gvili’s remains are returned. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum insisted that no second phase can proceed while Gvili remains in Gaza.
Analysis & Implications
The announcement formalises an ambitious sequence of political and security tasks that have proved difficult in past agreements. Disarmament of armed groups in Gaza has been a central contention point for years: Hamas has historically refused to relinquish weapons without a political settlement that includes statehood. The plan’s insistence on demilitarisation before political normalisation contrasts with international precedents where security guarantees and phased political concessions often proceed in parallel.
Operationalising a technocratic administration under international supervision faces immediate practical hurdles: staffing, funding, logistics for reconstruction, and ensuring protection for civilians and aid workers amid ongoing tensions. Even with an ISF and international oversight, establishing credible, vetted local security forces will require time, sustained funding and clear legal frameworks to avoid creating competing authorities or security vacuums.
Politically, the scheme shifts responsibility for governance toward Palestinian institutions while retaining strong external oversight. That could pressure Palestinian factions to cooperate but risks deepening local tensions if perceived as externally imposed or insufficiently representative. Regionally, Egypt and Turkey’s backing could provide diplomatic cover, but Israel’s reluctance on full withdrawal and the unresolved hostage issue could stall material implementation.
Economically, reconstruction is essential but costly. Donor confidence will hinge on perceived security guarantees and transparent mechanisms for contracting and rebuilding. If reconstruction proceeds but demilitarisation stalls, the arrangement may entrench a fragile status quo rather than deliver sustainable stability and recovery for Gaza’s civilian population.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Reported figure |
|---|---|
| People abducted on 7 Oct 2023 | 251 (Israeli counts) |
| Deaths in Israel from 7 Oct attack | ~1,200 |
| Gaza death toll since start of campaign | 71,430 (Gaza health ministry) |
| Palestinians killed since October ceasefire | ~450 (Gaza health ministry) |
These figures show the scale of loss that the plan seeks to address. The death toll and the number of abducted people are central to political positions on both sides: Israel demands accountability and the return of hostages and remains, while Palestinian authorities and international agencies prioritise urgent humanitarian assistance and reconstruction funding.
Reactions & Quotes
“Phase Two establishes a transitional technocratic Palestinian administration in Gaza … and begins the full demilitarization and reconstruction of Gaza.”
Steve Witkoff, US Special Envoy
Witkoff framed the announcement as a concrete shift from ceasefire to stabilisation, emphasising disarmament as non-negotiable for the US.
“There is no phase 2 while Ran Gvili is in Gaza. Phase Rani must come first.”
Hostages and Missing Families Forum
The families’ group has pressured Israeli authorities to prioritise recovery of remains and has linked reopening of crossings and other implementation steps to that demand.
“The formation of a Palestinian Technocratic Committee to Administer the Gaza Strip can contribute to consolidating stability and improving the humanitarian situation.”
Egyptian and Turkish mediators (statement)
Regional mediators presented their support as aimed at stabilisation and humanitarian relief, while underscoring the need for cooperation among Palestinian factions.
Unconfirmed
- Extent of Hamas cooperation: Statements say Hamas will “support” the committee, but operational details and willingness to disarm remain unverified.
- Timeline for Israeli withdrawal: Israel has not committed to a full withdrawal; any timetable for a comprehensive pullback has not been confirmed.
- Exact composition and veto arrangements of the Board of Peace: public reports name some figures but the board’s formal powers and membership remain to be announced.
Bottom Line
The US-led move to start phase two sets out a concrete but contentious path: technocratic governance, demilitarisation and reconstruction. It addresses urgent needs in Gaza but hinges on compliance by armed groups, clear commitments from Israel on withdrawal, and rapid, unfettered humanitarian access. Without progress on those fronts — and resolution of the hostage and remains issues — implementation risks stalling or producing partial gains that fail to alter the underlying political impasse.
For observers and policymakers, the next weeks will be telling: announcements about the Board of Peace, practical steps to enable reconstruction, and whether international stabilisation forces and vetted police units can be deployed effectively. Donors and regional actors will need to balance speedy humanitarian response with safeguards that ensure reconstruction does not entrench new forms of instability.