US Launches Second Phase of Trump's Gaza Peace Plan, Focusing on Technocratic Governance and Demilitarization

Second Phase of Gaza Peace Plan Unveiled

The United States has officially launched the second phase of President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan for Gaza. White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff announced the initiative on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, signaling a shift in focus towards 'demilitarization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction' of the Gaza Strip.

Establishment of Palestinian Technocratic Committee

A central component of this new phase is the establishment of a 'transitional technocratic Palestinian administration in Gaza,' officially named the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG). This 15-member body is tasked with managing the daily life and providing essential public services to the people in Gaza. The committee is expected to be headed by Ali Abdel Hamid Shaath, a civil engineer from Gaza who previously served as a Deputy Minister of Planning in the Palestinian Authority. Mediators including Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey were involved in reaching a consensus on the committee's composition.

Focus on Demilitarization and Reconstruction

The second phase explicitly calls for the 'full demilitarization and reconstruction' of Gaza, primarily involving the 'disarmament of all unauthorized personnel.' This includes efforts to disarm Hamas, with the plan outlining an amnesty program for militants who agree to lay down their arms. However, skepticism remains regarding Hamas's willingness to fully disarm. The reconstruction efforts are anticipated to be extensive, with some estimates suggesting it could take until at least 2040 to rebuild the Strip.

Oversight by the 'Board of Peace'

Supervision of the technocratic committee and the broader peace plan will fall under an international transitional body known as the 'Board of Peace.' This board will be chaired by President Donald Trump himself. Nickolay Mladenov, a Bulgarian diplomat and former UN official, is expected to serve as its director-general. The launch of Phase 2 follows the initial phase of the 20-point plan, which was introduced in late September and focused on an immediate ceasefire, the return of hostages, prisoner exchanges, and humanitarian aid. The United States continues to emphasize the expectation for Hamas to comply with its obligations, including the immediate return of the final deceased hostage.