U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, announced the establishment of a technocratic Palestinian body to oversee the administration of the conflict-ridden territory as part of a phased U.S. plan for the future of Gaza. In a social media post, Witkoff revealed the launch of phase two of President Trump’s 20-Point Plan to resolve the Gaza conflict, transitioning from a ceasefire to demilitarization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction.
The disarming of Hamas, which has strengthened since the ceasefire began in October, poses a challenge under the plan’s requirements. Both Israel and Hamas endorsed Trump’s plan in October, stipulating that an international “Board of Peace” would supervise the technocratic body governing Gaza during a transitional period.
The newly formed 15-member Palestinian body, led by Ali Shaath, a former deputy minister in the Western-supported Palestinian Authority, will include individuals from the private sector and NGOs, selected by Nickolay Mladenov, a former UN Middle East envoy representing the Board of Peace on-site.
The demilitarization process, part of the second phase of Trump’s plan, involves the establishment of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG). Witkoff emphasized the importance of full demilitarization and reconstruction in Gaza, emphasizing the disarmament of unauthorized personnel. Hamas, which has not yet agreed to disarm, committed to transferring governance to a technocratic committee in October.
Despite challenges, Trump’s plan progresses to the second phase, focusing on the establishment of the Board of Peace and the potential deployment of peacekeeping forces. The ceasefire, effective since October, has witnessed ongoing violence, with casualties documented on both sides. Efforts are underway to address disarmament issues, with discussions in Cairo between Hamas and Palestinian factions.
The United Nations estimates that the reconstruction of Gaza will exceed $50 billion and will require significant time and financial investments. The long-term plan aims to address the complex challenges in Gaza and promote stability in the region.