WASHINGTON, D.C. January 15, 2026 – In a significant development amid ongoing efforts to stabilize the Middle East, the White House has officially declared the initiation of Phase Two of President Donald Trump’s 20-Point Plan to End the Gaza Conflict. The announcement, made via a post on X, signals a transition from the initial ceasefire to phases focused on demilitarization, the establishment of a technocratic governance structure, and comprehensive reconstruction in Gaza.
U.S. Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff, in a quoted statement within the White House post, emphasized the progress achieved in Phase One, including the delivery of historic humanitarian aid and the return of all living hostages along with most deceased remains.
The plan now advances to enforce full demilitarization, requiring Hamas to surrender all weapons, dismantle every tunnel, and immediately return the final deceased hostage to Israel. Witkoff warned of “serious consequences” for non-compliance, underscoring the U.S. expectation for Hamas to honor its commitments without delay.
A newly formed Palestinian technocratic administration, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), headed by former Palestinian Authority Deputy Minister Ali Shaath, will oversee daily governance during this transitional period. This body, composed of 14 technocrats, is intended to operate under the oversight of an international “Board of Peace,” potentially led by figures like Bulgarian diplomat Nikolay Mladenov.
The mediators—Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar—have played a pivotal role, issuing a joint statement welcoming the NCAG’s formation as an “important development” to improve humanitarian conditions and foster stability in Gaza.The White House post concluded with the slogan “PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH,” echoing Trump’s longstanding foreign policy mantra.
About The Author
