In brief
In a significant announcement, US envoy Steve Witkoff revealed the commencement of phase two of President Trump's Gaza peace plan. This phase focuses on rebuilding Gaza, demilitarizing the region, and involves the formation of a new technocratic Palestinian government. Regional mediators have praised the initiative, signaling a concerted effort to stabilize the territory amidst ongoing tensions.
US envoy Steve Witkoff has announced the start of phase two of President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza, with a technocratic Palestinian government established in the territory.The second phase will also see 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, he warned, noting these include returning the body of the last dead Israeli hostage. Failure to do so will bring serious consequences. Under phase one, Hamas and Israel agreed to a ceasefire in October, along with a hostage-prisoner exchange, a partial Israeli withdrawal, and an increase in aid.Following the US announcement, regional mediators Egypt, Gaza and Turkey welcomed the formation of the Palestinian Technocratic Committee to Administer the Gaza Strip, which they believe will contribute to enhancing stability and improving humanitarian conditions. The committee will be led by Ali Shaath, a former deputy planning minister in the Palestinian Authority (PA).This transitional administration is set to operate under the supervision of a Board of Peace chaired by Trump, per the 20-point plan he revealed three months prior. Anticipated announcements concerning the board, including Trump's upcoming visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos next week, are expected soon.Former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov, who has been engaging with both Israeli and Palestinian officials, is designated to be the board's representative in Gaza.In a joint statement, Hamas and its ally Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) affirmed their support for the technocratic Palestinian government initiative while committing to foster a conducive environment for its operations. The PA, which is predominantly Fatah-led and rivals Hamas, also expressed its backing. Vice-President Hussein al-Sheikh stated that Trump's leadership has paved the way for a new opportunity for peace and urged all Palestinian factions to support this critical transitional phase.Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reassured the family of the last dead hostage, Ran Gvili, that his return remains a priority despite the establishment of a technocratic committee. Gvili was among the 251 abducted during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities. Israel has responded with military actions in Gaza, leading to over 71,430 casualties according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
