US announces start of phase two of Trump’s Gaza peace plan

US envoy Steve Witkoff announced that the second phase of President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza has begun with the establishment of a technocratic Palestinian government in the region.

He said that the second phase would include the reconstruction and complete disarmament of Gaza, including the disarmament of Hamas and other Palestinian groups.

“The United States expects Hamas to fully comply with its obligations,” he warned, noting that these include returning the body of the last Israeli hostage. “Failure to do so will result in serious consequences.”

In the first phase, Hamas and Israel reached an agreement in October on a ceasefire, as well as a hostage-prisoner exchange, a partial Israeli withdrawal, and an increase in aid.

The establishment of Gaza’s 15-person interim government, known as the National Committee for Gaza Administration (NCAG), was previously announced by Egypt.

It will operate under the supervision of the “Peace Board”, which will be chaired by Trump. According to the 20-item plan announced by the president three months ago.

The Gaza war was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 people were taken hostage.

Since then, more than 71,430 people have been killed in Israeli offensives in Gaza, according to the region’s Hamas-run health ministry.