U.S. presidential envoy says parties back creation of transitional administration in Gaza

Representatives of the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye have expressed support for the near-term establishment and operationalization of the Board of Peace as a transitional administration in Gaza, U.S. presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff said on Saturday.

The representatives of the four countries, during talks in Miami, Florida, on Friday, reviewed the implementation of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, Witkoff said on X, adding that further consultations will continue in the coming weeks to advance the implementation of the second phase.

"The first phase has yielded progress, including expanded humanitarian assistance, the return of hostage bodies, partial force withdrawals and a reduction in hostilities," Witkoff said.

"In our discussions regarding phase two, we emphasized enabling a governing body in Gaza under a unified Gazan authority to protect civilians and maintain public order," he added.

Witkoff said the four countries also called on all parties to uphold their obligations, exercise restraint and cooperate with monitoring arrangements.

Despite the latest ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that took effect in October, Israel has continued to carry out strikes in Gaza.

Gaza's civil defense said six people were killed on Friday in Israeli shelling of a shelter, bringing the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli fire since the deal took effect to 400.

Israel has also repeatedly accused Hamas of violating the truce, with the military reporting three of its soldiers killed in the territory since October.

On Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed hope that countries would contribute troops for the stabilization force, but also urged the disarmament of Hamas, warning the process would unravel unless that happened.

(With input from agencies)