US Launches Phase Two of Gaza Peace Initiative

Wed Jan 14 2026 23:23:29 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The United States has officially announced the commencement of the second phase of its peace plan for Gaza, which includes establishing a technocratic Palestinian government and the reconstruction of the war-torn region.

In a significant development, US envoy Steve Witkoff revealed that the second phase of the Gaza peace plan will focus on establishing a technocratic government, full demilitarization, and the reconstruction of Gaza. Regional mediators and local factions have expressed support for this initiative, emphasizing the importance of stability and humanitarian improvement in the area.

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.

The second phase aims to also ensure the reconstruction and full demilitarization of Gaza, including the disarmament of Hamas and other Palestinian groups. Witkoff warned that the US expects Hamas to comply with its obligations, including returning the body of the last deceased Israeli hostage; failure to comply will entail serious consequences.

This follows an initial phase where Hamas and Israel achieved a ceasefire in October, alongside a hostage-prisoner exchange and a surge in humanitarian aid.

In response to the US announcement, regional mediators such as Egypt and Turkey welcomed the creation of a Palestinian Technocratic Committee to Administer the Gaza Strip aimed at bolstering stability and humanitarian conditions. The new administration will be led by Ali Shaath, a former planning minister for the Western-backed Palestinian Authority.

This transitional administration will operate under a Board of Peace, chaired by Trump, as outlined in a 20-point plan presented three months ago. Further announcements regarding the board are anticipated as the president prepares for his visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos next week.

Former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov is set to serve as the board's representative on the ground in Gaza. Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have also stated their support for the technocratic government, indicating cooperation to facilitate its formation.

The Palestinian Authority, currently dominated by Fatah, has likewise expressed support for the initiative. Vice-President Hussein al-Sheikh remarked that Trump's leadership is fostering new opportunities for peace and governance, calling for a united effort from all Palestinian factions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached out to the family of the last deceased hostage, Ran Gvili, asserting that his return remains a top priority amid the establishment of the technocratic committee. Ran, aged 24, was taken during a Hamas-led attack that resulted in numerous casualties.

The ongoing conflict has led to extensive loss of life, with reports indicating over 71,430 fatalities in Gaza amid Israel's military responses to the October attacks.