Trump envoy says Gaza ceasefire enters second phase focused on demilitarization, reconstruction

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Donald Trump’s special envoy announced Wednesday the start of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan, saying the focus will shift to demilitarization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction.

“Phase Two establishes a transitional technocratic Palestinian administration in Gaza, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), and begins the full demilitarization and reconstruction of Gaza, primarily the disarmament of all unauthorized personnel,” Steve Witkoff said in a statement on the US social media platform X.

He said the US expects Hamas to fully comply with its obligations under the agreement, including “the immediate return of the final deceased hostage.”

“Failure to do so will bring serious consequences,” Witkoff added.

Witkoff also thanked Türkiye, Egypt and Qatar “for their indispensable mediation efforts that made all progress to date possible.”