TNA Staff
The New Arab / January 14, 2026
The US says Gaza ceasefire talks are entering a second phase focused on disarming Hamas and setting up a technocratic authority to run the enclave.
President Donald Trump’s envoy said Wednesday that a plan to end the Gaza war was now moving to Phase Two with a goal of disarming Hamas, despite a number of Israeli strikes during the ceasefire.
“We are announcing the launch of Phase Two of the President’s 20-Point Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, moving from ceasefire to demilitarization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction,” envoy Steve Witkoff wrote on X.
The second phase will also include the setup of a 15-person Palestinian technocratic committee to administer post-war Gaza. Its formation was announced earlier Wednesday by Egypt, a close US ally and mediator, with Palestinian factions also offering their support.
In a statement, Palestinian factions including Hamas and Islamic Jihad said they had agreed “to support the mediators’ efforts in forming the Palestinian National Transitional Committee to administer the Gaza Strip, while providing the appropriate environment” for it to begin its work.
The Ramallah-based Palestinian presidency also announced its support in official media, with a source from the office telling AFP the statement “reflects the position of the Fatah movement because President (Mahmoud) Abbas is also the head of Fatah”.
According to Witkoff, Phase Two “begins the full demilitarisation and reconstruction of Gaza, primarily the disarmament of all unauthorised personnel.”
“The US expects Hamas to comply fully with its obligations, including the immediate return of the final deceased hostage. Failure to do so will bring serious consequences,” he said.
