The United States said on Wednesday that its plan to end the war in Gaza is entering a second phase, as Palestinian factions agreed on the formation of a post-war governing body for the territory. The announcement was made by U.S. president Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, who outlined the next steps of the U.S.-backed initiative.
Writing on X, Witkoff said the second phase of Trump’s 20-point plan would move Gaza “from ceasefire to demilitarization, technocratic governance and reconstruction.” Phase one of the plan, launched in October, included a ceasefire, a hostage-prisoner exchange, a partial Israeli withdrawal, and an increase in humanitarian aid deliveries.
Under the second phase, Gaza would be administered by a 15-member Palestinian technocratic committee. The body would operate under the supervision of a so-called “Board of Peace,” which is to be chaired by President Trump himself.
Egypt confirmed that all members of the committee had been agreed upon by Palestinian factions. According to a joint statement from mediators Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar, Ali Shaath, a former deputy minister in the Palestinian Authority, has been selected to lead the committee. The remaining members have not yet been publicly named.
Speaking in Cairo, Egyptian foreign minister Badr Abdelatty said he hoped the committee would soon be deployed to Gaza to “manage daily life and essential services.”
