Witkoff announces ‘Phase Two’ of Gaza peace process — despite Hamas refusing to disarm

Negotiators described “disarmament” as destroying terror infrastructure and securing heavy weapons rather than demanding an immediate full surrender, and did not clarify what authority interim officials would have while Hamas still controls much of Gaza. U.S. officials said they expect Hamas to comply — including returning the last deceased hostage — and warned of serious consequences if it does not, echoing prior threats that regional forces could remove Hamas by force. The announcement follows a reported “Phase One,” which ended large-scale fighting in October, saw Hamas release all living hostages, and involved Israeli withdrawals from densely populated areas; the report also cited seven attacks, including one involving Israeli policeman Ran Gvili. Major obstacles remain: Hamas has refused to disarm, and Israel is holding up aspects of the plan over unresolved issues such as locating the remains of the last known hostage. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said a vetted transition team was chosen with help from mediators in Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, the UAE, Bahrain and Morocco, and that Phase Two would move to full demilitarization and reconstruction of Gaza. The administration unveiled "Phase Two" of its Gaza plan, proposing a technocratic interim Palestinian administration called the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) to run Gaza under a Trump‑chaired "Board of Peace." Invitations were sent to other countries to join that board and to provide an International Stabilization Force, but officials have not disclosed which countries would participate or who the interim ministers will be. Authorities said the member states and ministers would be announced within 48 hours.