The US Gaza plan phase two has officially been launched, marking a new stage in Washington’s effort to bring Israel’s war on Gaza to an end while reshaping governance, security and reconstruction in the devastated Palestinian territory.
United States Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff announced the development on Wednesday, saying President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza framework is now moving beyond a ceasefire toward demilitarisation, technocratic administration and long-term rebuilding.
According to Witkoff, the second phase represents a shift from immediate conflict management to a broader post-war strategy aimed at stabilising Gaza after months of sustained Israeli military operations.
The announcement comes amid mounting international concern over the fragility of the ceasefire, which has been repeatedly tested despite being brokered by the United States and supported by regional mediators.
Witkoff said the new phase would establish a transitional governing authority to administer Gaza, replacing existing political structures with a technocratic body focused on civil governance and reconstruction.
He stressed that the plan requires the “full demilitarisation” of Gaza, arguing that security reform is central to preventing renewed conflict and ensuring long-term stability.
As part of the US Gaza plan phase two, Washington expects Hamas to meet all outstanding obligations, including the return of the final deceased Israeli hostage held in the enclave.
Witkoff warned that failure to comply would bring “serious consequences”, though he did not specify what punitive measures might be taken.
Hamas did not issue an immediate response, but the group has previously stated it is prepared to step aside from daily governance under certain conditions outlined in the US-backed proposal.
Despite the diplomatic momentum, the ceasefire underpinning the second phase remains unstable. Palestinian authorities say Israel has violated the truce more than 1,190 times since it took effect in October.
Those violations, they say, have resulted in the deaths of more than 400 Palestinians and have significantly restricted the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Israeli officials dispute claims of systematic violations, while humanitarian organisations report continued obstacles to aid deliveries, including inspections, delays and blocked convoys.
On the ground, many Palestinians remain sceptical about promises attached to the US Gaza plan phase two, citing previous agreements that failed to bring lasting relief.
Observers note that while Hamas has signalled readiness to relinquish administrative control, key questions remain over the legitimacy, authority and accountability of the proposed technocratic body.
There is also uncertainty over how much influence Palestinians themselves will have in shaping the new governing structure.
Reconstruction presents one of the most daunting challenges facing the second phase, with more than 80 percent of Gaza’s buildings damaged or destroyed during the war.
Entire residential districts have been flattened, forcing hundreds of thousands of families into overcrowded camps and makeshift shelters as winter conditions worsen.
Aid agencies estimate that rebuilding Gaza could take decades and require tens of billions of dollars, particularly if restrictions on construction materials persist.
Experts warn that reconstruction efforts cannot move forward without sustained calm and unimpeded humanitarian access.
“The durability of the ceasefire remains the decisive factor,” one regional analyst said, cautioning that renewed fighting could derail reconstruction before it begins.
Israel’s government has said the formation of a technocratic administration would not interfere with efforts to recover the remains of Israelis still held in Gaza.
In a statement, the Israeli prime minister’s office said the return of Ran Gvili, a former police officer whose body remains in the enclave, remains a top national priority.
The broader US proposal underpinning the US Gaza plan phase two also includes the creation of a “Board of Peace”, to be chaired by President Trump.
The board is expected to oversee Gaza’s technocratic government while coordinating international funding and security arrangements.
Israel has announced that former United Nations Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov would lead the board, a decision that has drawn mixed reactions from regional and international observers.
The plan also calls for the deployment of an international stabilisation force tasked with overseeing security and preventing the re-emergence of armed groups in Gaza.
Regional mediators Qatar, Turkiye and Egypt welcomed the formation of the technocratic body, describing it as a necessary step toward implementing the second phase of the ceasefire.
In a joint statement, the mediators expressed hope that the committee would help create conditions for sustainable peace and accelerate Gaza’s reconstruction.
They emphasised that all parties must fully commit to the ceasefire agreement for the US Gaza plan phase two to succeed.
Despite diplomatic support, analysts remain divided over the plan’s long-term prospects.
Some argue that the framework is heavily tilted in Israel’s favour and fails to adequately address Palestinian political rights and self-determination.
Critics also question whether Washington is willing to apply meaningful pressure on Israel to uphold ceasefire terms and allow unrestricted aid.
Meanwhile, humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate, with limited access to food, shelter and medical supplies.
International organisations say ongoing restrictions violate Israel’s obligations as an occupying power and breach the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
Under the truce, Israel was expected to allow up to 600 aid trucks into Gaza daily, a target that aid groups say has not been met consistently.
As a result, hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians remain exposed to harsh weather in poorly equipped shelters.
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Medical officials report continued casualties, including deaths linked to untreated injuries and exposure-related illnesses.
Since October 2023, more than 71,400 Palestinians have been killed and over 171,000 wounded, highlighting the immense human cost that any post-war plan must address.
Whether the US Gaza plan phase two can move beyond announcements and deliver tangible change on the ground remains an open question.
For many Palestinians, lasting peace will depend not on new governing structures alone, but on accountability, justice and genuine political inclusion.
