Washington, United States — The United States announced the start of the second phase of its peace plan in Gaza, four months after a ceasefire took effect.
The announcement was made Wednesday by President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.
According to Witkoff, Phase Two focuses on demilitarizing Gaza, launching reconstruction efforts, and establishing the technocratic Palestinian administration.
Following the announcement, mediators Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey confirmed that a 15-member technocratic committee will join.
Ali Shaath, a former Deputy Minister of Transportation of the Palestinian Authority, is set to lead the group, with members linked to Hamas excluded from the committee.
The said technocrat admin will focus on daily life and services in Gaza.
Israel welcomed the announcement but stressed that its top priority remains the surrender of the remains of the final Israeli hostage, an issue that is still part of the unresolved first phase of the agreement imposed in October last year.
“The establishment of a technocratic committee will not affect the efforts to return Ran for a Jewish burial,” Prime Minister of Israel, X page wrote.
This phase talks about the prisoner-hostage exchange.
Meanwhile, continued violence and delays in the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza were also still an issue in the previous phase.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 400 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire took effect.
Going back, reports said Hamas has already agreed to hand over governance to the technocratic committee, but continue to refuse calls to disarm.
The Palestinian Authority, on the other hand, has expressed support for the phase, calling it a step toward restoring unified Palestinian governance.
Gaza’s transitional administration will operate under the supervision of a “Gaza Board of Peace”, which will be chaired by United States President Donald Trump.
Announcements related to the board are expected in the coming days.