U.S.-Backed Gaza Plan Enters Critical Second Phase, Focus on Disarmament and New Administration

The United States has announced the start of the second phase of a proposed plan to stabilize Gaza, shifting focus from an initial ceasefire to the complex, long-term challenges of disarming militant groups and establishing a new governing authority.

Following a temporary truce, the plan's next stage, championed by former U.S. President Donald Trump and his envoys, aims for the "complete demilitarization" of the Hamas militant group and the installation of an interim, non-political administration to oversee reconstruction [51857][50429][49979]. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed the transition, stating the proposal is now in this critical secondary stage [50429].

The core objectives are clear but face immediate, significant hurdles. The plan demands Hamas give up its weapons, a condition the group has historically rejected and which remains a major point of contention [51857][51918]. Concurrently, it proposes a governing "board of peace" to appoint a committee of Palestinian technocrats—specialists chosen for expertise rather than political affiliation—to manage Gaza's daily affairs and a massive rebuilding effort [50592][50117][49979].

However, key components are not yet operational. The peace board itself has not been formed, leaving the proposed technocratic committee in limbo without an appointing body [50669][50117]. Furthermore, deep distrust between the warring parties persists, and critical details regarding timelines, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the composition of the new administration remain unclear or disputed [50883][51219][5571].

The success of this phase is seen as pivotal, determining whether the current calm can evolve into a stable peace or if hostilities will resume [50883]. All sides acknowledge the difficulties ahead, with the coming weeks expected to test the commitment of the involved parties and the durability of the U.S.-led framework [50883][36692].