WASHINGTON: The United States has announced the launch of the second phase of President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza, indicating a significant shift in strategy one that moves beyond ceasefire maintenance toward demilitarisation, technocratic governance and large-scale reconstruction.
Furthermore, the announcement was made by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff through a social media post, in which he described the transition as a move “from ceasefire to demilitarisation, technocratic governance, and reconstruction.”
As per the Witkoff, the new phase represents a decisive effort by Washington to stabilise Gaza after months of conflict and humanitarian crisis.
“Today, on behalf of President Trump, we are announcing the launch of Phase Two,” Witkoff said, outlining a plan that would fundamentally reshape Gaza’s political and security landscape.
The second phase, Witkoff explained, will also initiate what he termed the “full demilitarisation and reconstruction” of the territory. This includes the disarmament of all unauthorised armed personnel a provision widely viewed as a direct challenge to Hamas’s continued military presence in Gaza.
In this regard, Witkoff said the United States expects Hamas to comply fully with its remaining obligations under the agreement, including the immediate return of the final deceased hostage.
“Failure to do so will bring serious consequences,” he cautioned, without elaborating on the nature of those measures.
In this sense, the US officials say Phase One of the plan has already delivered tangible outcomes. Witkoff noted that it facilitated historic levels of humanitarian assistance, preserved the ceasefire, ensured the return of all living hostages and secured the remains of 27 out of 28 deceased captives.
He also credited regional mediators for their role in advancing the agreement, describing the involvement of Egypt, Turkey and Qatar as “indispensable.” The White House revealed the formation of a high-level executive panel dubbed the ‘Board of Peace’ tasked with overseeing the implementation of the plan.
The panel includes senior American officials and prominent international figures, indicating the scale of Washington’s ambitions. However, with Hamas yet to disarm and tensions still simmering on the ground, critical questions remain unanswered and the most contentious phase of the plan may still lie ahead.
