U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on Wednesday announced the launch of the second phase of the Gaza peace plan, shifting the focus "from ceasefire to demilitarization, technocratic governance and reconstruction."

Focus shifts from ceasefire to governance and reconstruction

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff made the announcement with a post on social media platform X earlier Wednesday, saying the next phase aims to expand beyond ceasefire maintenance to include demilitarization measures, civilian administration and early-stage reconstruction planning.

Phase Two is designed to create conditions for longer-term stability by ensuring basic governance, restoring essential services and facilitating humanitarian access across Gaza, he said.

Washington stressed that progress in this phase would depend on coordination with regional partners and compliance by all parties with existing ceasefire commitments.

The announcement reiterated that the U.S. side expects Hamas to comply fully with its obligations, including the immediate return of the final deceased hostage. The envoy warned that failure to comply "will bring serious consequences."

Regional mediators announce Palestinian Technocratic Committee

Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye announced on Wednesday the completion of forming a Palestinian technocratic committee to oversee administrative affairs in Gaza during the transitional period, according to a joint statement issued by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry. 

The committee is tasked with managing civil services, coordinating humanitarian aid and supporting initial reconstruction efforts. It is headed by Ali Abdel Hamid Shaath, a veteran engineer and former deputy planning minister in the Palestinian Authority.

Mediators described the committee as a practical mechanism to fill the governance gap in Gaza and improve daily living conditions for residents, while avoiding political confrontation during the sensitive transition phase.

They also emphasized that the committee's work is intended to complement, rather than replace, broader political processes related to the Palestinian issue.

The United States is expected to announce in the coming days the formation of a "Peace Council" to oversee the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and support reconstruction efforts, after earlier delays due to difficulties in mobilizing international backing.

Calls for ceasefire compliance and humanitarian access

Mediators reiterated the importance of full adherence to the ceasefire agreement, urging all parties to facilitate the delivery of aid, the movement of goods and the restoration of basic infrastructure.

They said effective administration and humanitarian coordination would be essential for maintaining stability as Gaza enters the second phase of the peace plan.

Israel reaffirms position on hostages

In a statement issued by Netanyahu's office after he spoke with the parents of Ran Guaili, the last hostage whose body is still held in Gaza, the Israeli prime minister said, "The return of Ran is at the top of our priorities."

"The declaratory move regarding the establishment of a technocratic committee will not affect efforts to bring Ran back for burial in Israel," he said.

Israel expects that information conveyed to mediators by the Israeli government's coordinator for prisoners and missing persons would be "immediately translated into effective action on the ground," he added.

(With input from agencies)