Witkoff announces launch of 'phase two' of Trump's Gaza plan

President Donald Trump's envoy said Wednesday that a plan to end the Gaza war was now moving to "Phase Two" with a goal of disarming Hamas, despite a number of Israeli strikes during the "ceasefire".

"We are announcing the launch of Phase Two of the President's 20-Point Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, moving from ceasefire to demilitarization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction," envoy Steve Witkoff wrote on X.

The second phase will also include the setup of a 15-person Palestinian technocratic committee to administer post-war Gaza. Its formation was announced earlier Wednesday by Egypt, a close US ally and mediator, with Palestinian factions also offering their support.

In a statement, Palestinian factions including Hamas and Islamic Jihad said they had agreed "to support the mediators' efforts in forming the Palestinian National Transitional Committee to administer the Gaza Strip, while providing the appropriate environment" for it to begin its work.

The Ramallah-based Palestinian presidency also announced its support in official media, with a source from the office telling AFP the statement "reflects the position of the Fatah movement because President (Mahmoud) Abbas is also the head of Fatah".

According to Witkoff, Phase Two "begins the full demilitarisation and reconstruction of Gaza, primarily the disarmament of all unauthorised personnel."

"The US expects Hamas to comply fully with its obligations, including the immediate return of the final deceased hostage. Failure to do so will bring serious consequences," he said.

Witkoff also praised the role of Egypt, Qatar and Turkey in regional and international mediation efforts, saying their involvement had been central to progress made during the first phase of the plan.

According to Witkoff, Phase One resulted in what he described as historic humanitarian aid entering Gaza, the maintenance of the ceasefire, the return of all living captives, and the recovery of the remains of 27 of 28 deceased captives.

Israel has violated the US-brokered ceasefire more than 1,190 times since it came into effect in October, according to the Gaza Government Media Office, killing more than 400 Palestinians and blocking critical humanitarian aid from entering the enclave.

Hamas, which has condemned Israel’s repeated ceasefire violations, did not immediately comment on Witkoff’s announcement.

Earlier on Wednesday, Egypt announced the formation of a Palestinian technocratic committee to administer post war Gaza, with Palestinian factions expressing support for the move.

In a joint statement, Palestinian factions including Hamas and Islamic Jihad said they had agreed "to support the mediators’ efforts in forming the Palestinian National Transitional Committee to administer the Gaza Strip, while providing the appropriate environment" for it to begin its work.

The Ramallah-based Palestinian presidency also welcomed the move. A source in the presidency told AFP that the statement "reflects the position of the Fatah movement, because President Mahmoud Abbas is also the head of Fatah".

Palestinian sources told The New Arab that the technocratic committee has been almost fully formed, with only the security and policing portfolio still to be finalised. The committee is expected to be announced imminently.

The sources said some members were informed by phone, while others received text messages from Nickolay Mladenov, who is seen as the leading candidate to serve as executive director of the Gaza administration council.

Some members had previously been contacted by Egyptian officials after being nominated by Hamas.

The committee is expected to comprise 18 members, all residents of Gaza, with no formal political or ideological affiliation to armed factions.

Cairo is expected to host the committee's first meeting, with Egypt and Mladenov reportedly coordinating with Israel to facilitate the travel of members inside Gaza. At least four members are currently based in Egypt.