U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, revealed plans for a new Palestinian administrative body to manage the war-torn Gaza Strip under a phased U.S. strategy. The initiative, known as Phase Two of the President’s 20-Point Plan for Gaza, aims to transition from a ceasefire to demilitarization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction.
The specific disarmament of Hamas, which has reinforced its position since the recent ceasefire, poses a challenge under the outlined plan. Both Israel and Hamas have agreed to Trump’s proposal, which involves overseeing the technocratic body by an international “Board of Peace” during a transitional phase in Gaza.
The newly formed 15-member Palestinian entity, named the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), will be led by Ali Shaath, a former deputy minister in the Palestinian Authority. The committee, endorsed by mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, includes individuals from the private sector and NGOs, selected by former UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov.
Despite the absence of specific member names, the establishment of the NCAG and the transition toward demilitarization and reconstruction mark the beginning of the second phase of Trump’s plan. Hamas’s compliance with disarmament measures, including the return of a remaining hostage, is crucial, according to Witkoff.
While Hamas has yet to agree to disarmament, it previously consented to cede control to a technocratic committee. The broader discussions on Gaza’s future and Palestinian rights are anticipated within a comprehensive Palestinian framework.
In the West Bank, the Palestinian Authority expressed support for Trump’s Gaza plan and emphasized the need for unity between Gaza and the West Bank under a single governance structure. Despite challenges such as ongoing violence and delays in implementing the ceasefire, Trump remains committed to advancing the plan’s second phase.
The ceasefire, effective since October, has seen significant casualties in Gaza, with over 440 reported deaths, including many children. Reconstruction efforts, estimated to exceed $50 billion, are expected to be a lengthy process, with limited funding commitments thus far.