WASHINGTON - US special envoy Steve Witkoff announced Wednesday the launch of phase two of President Donald Trump's 20-point plan for ending the Gaza war.
Witkoff in a statement said that this new phase will consist of "moving from ceasefire to demilitarization, technocratic governance and reconstruction."
"Phase two establishes a transitional technocratic Palestinian administration in Gaza -- the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) -- and begins the full demilitarization and reconstruction of Gaza, primarily the disarmament of all unauthorized personnel," Witkoff said.
"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," the US envoy added.
"Importantly, phase one delivered historic humanitarian aid, maintained the ceasefire, returned all living hostages and the remains of 27 of the 28 deceased hostages," Witkoff says, thanking fellow mediators Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar "for their indispensable mediation efforts that made all progress to date possible."
Israel pushed back on transitioning to phase two before Hamas had given up its weapons and returned the body of Ran Gvili. Top US officials told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his Mar-a-Lago meetings last month that Washington is committed to those two goals, but doesn't want to condition the commencement of phase two on either, a US official and two sources familiar with the matter told The Times of Israel last week.
Mediating states Egypt, Qatar and Turkey issue a joint statement welcoming the formation of the Palestinian technocratic committee that will replace Hamas in running Gaza's daily affairs.
The mediators confirm that the committee will be headed by former Palestinian Authority deputy transportation minister Ali Shaath.
"This step... will contribute to stability and improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip," the mediators say, expressing their hope that it will also pave the way for further implementation of phase two of US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan for ending the Gaza war.
"The mediators stress the need for all parties to commit to the full implementation of the agreement in order to achieve a sustainable peace and create the appropriate conditions for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip in a manner that meets the aspirations of the brotherly Palestinian people for security, stability, and a dignified life," the statement adds.