US Launches Phase Two of Gaza Peace Initiative

Wed Jan 14 2026 23:21:50 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The United States has initiated phase two of its Gaza peace plan, focusing on reconstruction and establishing a Palestinian technocratic government following years of conflict.

US envoy Steve Witkoff announced the commencement of phase two of the Gaza peace plan, which aims at the reconstruction of Gaza and the formation of a technocratic Palestinian government. This phase includes the complete disarmament of Hamas and a call for compliance with previous agreements. The transitional administration will be guided by a 'Board of Peace' under President Trump, with support from regional mediators and Palestinian factions.

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.

He said the second phase would 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 the return of 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 aid surge.

Following the US announcement, regional mediators Egypt, Gaza, and Turkey welcomed the formation of what they called the Palestinian Technocratic Committee to Administer the Gaza Strip, stating it would contribute to strengthening efforts aimed at consolidating stability and improving the humanitarian situation.

The 15-member body will be headed by Ali Shaath, a former deputy planning minister in the Western-backed Palestinian Authority (PA), which governs parts of the occupied West Bank not under Israeli control.

The transitional administration will operate under a Board of Peace, chaired by Trump, according to the 20-point plan he unveiled three months ago.

Announcements related to the board are expected in the coming days, including the president's upcoming visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos next week.

Former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov, who has been meeting Israeli and Palestinian officials, is set to be the board's representative on the ground in Gaza.

Earlier on Wednesday, Hamas and its ally Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) stated that they had agreed to support the formation of the technocratic Palestinian government while providing the appropriate environment for it to begin work.

The PA, dominated by Fatah, Hamas's rival, also expressed its support.

Vice-President Hussein al-Sheikh stated that Trump's leadership had contributed to creating a new opportunity for peace, stability, and good governance, and urged all Palestinian factions to ensure the success of this critical transitional phase.

The office of Israel's prime minister confirmed he spoke with the parents of Ran Gvili, the last deceased hostage in Gaza, emphasizing that Ran's return remains a top priority.

Ran, a 24-year-old police officer, was among those abducted during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities.

Israel's military campaign in response to the attack has led to more than 71,430 deaths in Gaza, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.