United States envoy Steve Witkoff announced the start of the second phase of the Gaza peace plan on Wednesday. This stage introduces a technocratic government to manage the territory. It also focuses on the full demilitarisation and reconstruction of the enclave.
The National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) will handle daily governance. This committee consists of 15 members who are experts in their fields. Ali Shaath, a former planning official, has been appointed to lead the group. He was educated in Belfast and has extensive urban planning experience.
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Administrative oversight and international support
A Board of Peace will supervise the new transitional administration. President Donald Trump will chair this high-level international board. Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov will act as the representative on the ground. He is widely respected for his previous work as a United Nations envoy.
The second phase of the Gaza peace plan seeks to disarm all unauthorised personnel. This includes the removal of heavy weaponry and terror infrastructure. US officials warned that failure to comply would bring serious consequences. However, the disarmament of Hamas remains a significant hurdle for mediators to resolve.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has focused on the return of Ran Gvili. Gvili is the last deceased hostage still held in the territory. The Israeli government refuses to reopen the Rafah border crossing until his remains are returned. This demand adds further complexity to an already fragile ceasefire.
Humanitarian conditions in the region remain at the centre of international concern. Over 450 Palestinians have died since the initial truce began in October. An International Stabilisation Force is expected to deploy to support local police. This force will help maintain order as the Gaza peace plan moves forward.
Image credit: Hassan Jedi/Anadolu via Getty.
