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 a ceasefire in October, as well as a hostage-prisoner exchange, a partial Israeli withdrawal, and an aid surge.
The formation of Gaza’s 15-person transitional government, known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), was earlier announced by Egypt.
It will operate under the supervision of a “Board of Peace”, which will be chaired by Trump, according to the 20-point plan unveiled by the president three months ago.
The Gaza war was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.
More than 71,430 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.
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