WASHINGTON: The United States on Wednesday announced the launch of the second phase of a US-brokered plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza, shifting focus to demilitarisation, technocratic governance and reconstruction.
President Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East said the plan was moving into “Phase Two”. The announcement comes despite continued Israeli strikes reported during the ceasefire period.
“We are announcing the launch of Phase Two of the President’s 20-Point Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, moving from ceasefire to demilitarisation, technocratic governance, and reconstruction,” Witkoff wrote on X.
Transitional administration
Witkoff said the second phase would include the establishment of a transitional administration to govern Gaza and oversee its reconstruction, alongside what he described as the “full demilitarisation” of the territory.
He said the plan envisages the formation of a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee to administer post-war Gaza, a step earlier confirmed by Egypt, a key US ally and mediator.
“The US expects Hamas to comply fully with its obligations, including the immediate return of the final deceased hostage,” Witkoff said. “Failure to do so will bring serious consequences.”
Today, on behalf of President Trump, we are announcing the launch of Phase Two of the President’s 20-Point Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, moving from ceasefire to demilitarization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction.
Phase Two establishes a transitional technocratic…
— Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (@SEPeaceMissions) January 14, 2026
Hamas did not immediately comment on Witkoff’s announcement. The Israeli government also offered no immediate response.
Ceasefire violations and humanitarian concerns
Israel has violated the US-brokered ceasefire more than 1,190 times since it came into effect in October, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office.
It said more than 442 Palestinians have been killed during the period and that Israel has blocked the entry of critical humanitarian aid.
More than 80 per cent of buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed during Israeli bombardment, according to Palestinian officials.
Hamas had previously indicated it was prepared to relinquish day-to-day governance of Gaza under the Trump plan.
Parties agree on technocratic committee members
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said on Wednesday that all members of the 15-person Palestinian technocratic committee had been agreed upon by all parties.
“We hope that following this agreement, the committee will be announced soon and will then be deployed to the Gaza Strip to manage daily life and essential services,” Abdelatty said.
Hamas officials said earlier that the group had opened talks with Egyptian mediators in Cairo on the committee’s formation and operational mechanisms, as part of the US-brokered truce plan.
A senior Hamas official, cited by AFP, said the Cairo talks also covered political developments, the state of the ceasefire and coordination with other Palestinian factions.
Hamas has repeatedly said it does not seek a role in any future governing authority in Gaza and would limit its involvement to monitoring governance to ensure stability and facilitate reconstruction.
Talks are also expected to focus on the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the reopening of the Rafah crossing, the entry of aid stockpiled on the Egyptian side of the border, and preparations for the second phase of the ceasefire, the official said.
Another Hamas official said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was expected to issue a decree formally establishing the committee once a consensus was reached.
Abdelatty did not name the agreed members, though two potential candidates for leadership cited by officials are Ali Shaath, a former Palestinian Authority deputy planning minister, and Majed Abu Ramadan, the current health minister.
‘Board of Peace’ oversight
Under Trump’s plan, Gaza would be administered by the Palestinian technocratic committee under the supervision of a so-called “Board of Peace”, to be chaired by Trump himself.
The board is expected to be led on the ground by Bulgarian diplomat and politician Nickolay Mladenov, who served as the United Nations envoy for the Middle East peace process from 2015 to 2020, according to AFP.
Media reports say Trump is expected to announce the members of the Board of Peace in the coming days. The body is expected to include around 15 world leaders.
Deadly winter storm
At least six Palestinians were killed on Tuesday after a severe winter storm caused buildings already damaged by Israeli attacks to collapse, Al Jazeera reported, citing local health officials.
The deaths included two women, a girl and a man, according to al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
There were also reports of additional deaths among children and elderly people due to freezing conditions and lack of shelter.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said a one-year-old boy died of hypothermia overnight, while two other children died on Monday night due to cold weather and inadequate shelter.
Aid agencies say living conditions remain extremely dangerous in Gaza, with widespread destruction and shortages of shelter following more than two years of bombardment.
A ceasefire has been in place since October 10, but humanitarian groups warn that many Palestinians remain exposed to harsh winter conditions.
