In a significant development toward resolving the Gaza conflict, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff officially announced the commencement of Phase Two of President Donald Trump’s 20-Point Plan on Wednesday. This critical phase transitions from ceasefire maintenance to establishing a technocratic Palestinian administration, initiating comprehensive demilitarization, and launching reconstruction efforts in the besieged enclave.
The newly established National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) will serve as the transitional governing body during this period. A cornerstone of this phase involves the complete disarmament of all unauthorized personnel throughout the territory. Witkoff, communicating via social media platform X, explicitly demanded Hamas’s full compliance with its obligations, emphasizing the immediate return of the final deceased hostage’s remains. He issued a stark warning that failure to meet these demands would result in serious consequences.
The announcement highlighted the successful completion of Phase One, which achieved several key objectives: the sustained humanitarian ceasefire, the delivery of historic levels of aid, the safe return of all living hostages, and the repatriation of twenty-seven out of twenty-eight deceased hostages. Witkoff extended profound gratitude to the mediating nations of Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar, acknowledging their indispensable role in facilitating the progress achieved thus far. This next stage represents a pivotal shift from immediate crisis management toward long-term structural and governance changes in Gaza, with the U.S. playing a central role in overseeing the implementation of its ambitious roadmap.