Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff has announced the launch of phase two of the US President’s plan to end the conflict in Gaza, with the establishment of a technocratic Palestinian administration in the enclave.
It follows Phase One, agreed upon by Hamas and Israel in October, which included a hostage–prisoner exchange, a partial Israeli withdrawal, and a surge in humanitarian aid.
“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," Witkoff wrote in a post on X.
The 15-member Palestinian body launched on Wednesday will be headed by Ali Shaath, a former deputy minister in the Western-backed Palestinian Authority who had been in charge of developing industrial zones, according to a joint statement by mediators Egypt, Qatar and Turkey.
Other members tapped by Nickolay Mladenov, the former UN Middle East envoy who is expected to represent the Board of Peace on the ground, include people from the private sector and NGOs, according to a list of the names obtained by Reuters.
Witkoff did not say how many members the body would include or name them.
Another announcement related to the Board of Peace was also expected to be made at Davos next week, a European diplomat said.
Phase two would also see the full reconstruction and full demilitarisation of Gaza, Witkoff added. This would include the disarmament of Hamas and other Palestine groups.
However, two elements of the phase two ceasefire plan could prove contentious.
Hamas has long refused to relinquish its weapons without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, while Israel has stopped short of committing to a full withdrawal from Gaza.
The ceasefire itself remains fragile, with both sides accusing each other of repeated violations. Since it came into force, nearly 450 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.
Meanwhile, humanitarian conditions in the territory remain dire. The United Nations has warned that the unrestricted flow of essential supplies is urgently needed.
