The United States has formally initiated the second phase of its ambitious plan to end the conflict in Gaza, a move announced by Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, on Wednesday 14 January 2026.
The Core Components of Phase Two
This next stage of the 20-point ceasefire deal, originally brokered by Washington, outlines a trio of critical objectives. The plan mandates the complete disarmament of Hamas, the monumental task of rebuilding the war-ravaged territory, and the establishment of a new governing body for the strip.
This new administration, named the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), is described as a transitional technocratic body. It will be composed of Palestinian experts and will be responsible for the day-to-day governance of Gaza, operating under American supervision.
Oversight of the NCAG will fall to an international panel called the "Board of Peace," which will be led by former President Donald Trump. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that diplomat Nickolay Mladenov, a former Bulgarian minister and UN envoy to Iraq, has been selected as the Board's director-general.
Significant Hurdles on the Path to Peace
Despite the announcement, enormous practical challenges remain. Sky News correspondents highlighted that the requirement for Hamas to disarm is a "herculean task" and a "huge challenge," with no detailed mechanism provided for how this will be achieved.
Furthermore, a key condition from the first phase remains unfulfilled. Hamas has yet to find and return the remains of the last deceased Israeli hostage. In a post on X, Witkoff warned that failure to comply with this and other obligations "will bring serious consequences."
Adam Parsons, Sky's Middle East correspondent, pointed out the interconnected obstacles: "Israel has to withdraw from the Gaza Strip. I have to say they are not going to do that as long as Hamas has failed to disarm. These are huge boulders in the path of progress."
Regional Reactions and the Road Ahead
Notably, the mediators of the original ceasefire—Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar—have welcomed the establishment of the NCAG. They confirmed it will be led by Ali Shaath, a former deputy minister in the Palestinian Authority.
According to Mark Stone, Sky's US correspondent, the Americans have managed to persuade Israel to move to phase two despite the unresolved issues. He also stated that the Palestinians appear to endorse this progression.
The scale of reconstruction is staggering, with the United Nations estimating a cost exceeding $50 billion (£37 billion). The process is expected to take years, yet little funding has been pledged so far. The plan also calls for a safeguarding military peacekeeping force, but no potential contributors have been identified.
The first phase of the truce, which took effect in October and halted much of the fighting, has been repeatedly tested by violations from both sides, including Israeli airstrikes and Hamas's refusal to disarm.
