US and the New Technocratic Palestinian Authority Launch Phase Two of the Gaza Peace Plan
The US launches phase two of the peace plan for Gaza, promoting demilitarization and reconstruction while establishing a technocratic government.
In phase two of President Donald Trump’s plan to end the fighting in Gaza, the United States has established a technocratic Palestinian government that will be in charge of managing the region’s transition from combat to reconstruction.
The new phase will bring Gaza from a precarious ceasefire toward full demilitarization, technocratic control, and extensive rebuilding, according to US envoy Steve Witkoff, who made the announcement on Wednesday. Along with rebuilding Gaza’s damaged infrastructure, the plan calls for disarming Hamas and other armed Palestinian organizations.
Phase two comes after a ceasefire agreement agreed in October under phase one, which included an increase in humanitarian aid, a partial Israeli pullout, and an exchange of hostages and prisoners. Witkoff cautioned, however, that Hamas must fulfill all of its responsibilities, including returning the body of the final Israeli hostage who has died. He warned that there would be “serious consequences” if this wasn’t done.
There are still two significant challenges. Israel has not promised a complete withdrawal from Gaza, and Hamas has stated time and again that it will not up its weapons until an independent Palestinian state is established. Since it started, hundreds of Palestinians have reportedly been murdered in Israeli strikes, and the truce itself is still in jeopardy as both sides accuse one another of violating it.
A 15-member National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, led by former Palestinian Authority deputy planning minister Ali Shaath, will oversee Gaza under the proposal. A “Board of Peace,” presided over by Trump, will oversee the committee’s operations. Former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov is anticipated to serve as the board’s representative in Gaza.
The establishment of the technocratic government was hailed by regional mediators Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, who said it may aid in stabilizing Gaza and enhancing humanitarian conditions. The Palestinian Authority also endorsed the government’s formation, emphasizing the necessity of unified governance throughout Gaza and the West Bank, while Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad also declared their support.
In order to train and assist pre-screened Palestinian police groups, Trump’s proposal also calls for the deployment of an International Stabilization Force. After completing reforms and gaining the ability to manage “securely and effectively,” the Palestinian Authority is anticipated to take entire authority of Gaza.
The fate of Ran Gvili, the final Israeli hostage still alive in Gaza, continues to be a source of tension. Israel has stated that his repatriation is a top priority and has connected the return of his remains to additional ceasefire-related actions. The war started on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing roughly 1,200 people. The Israeli military then launched a campaign that, according to Gaza’s health ministry, killed over 71,000 people.
