Gaza -- The United States on Wednesday announced the launch of the second phase of President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war in Gaza, shifting focus from a ceasefire to demilitarisation, interim governance and post-war reconstruction.

In a statement, US special envoy Steve Witkoff said Phase Two would establish a transitional Palestinian technocratic body, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), to manage civilian affairs in the territory. US media reported that Washington is expected to announce the committee’s membership later on Wednesday.

The new phase also calls for the full demilitarization of Gaza, including the disarmament of all unauthorised armed groups.

​“The United States expects Hamas to fully comply with its obligations,” the statement said, calling in particular for the immediate return of the final deceased hostage. It warned that failure to do so would result in “serious consequences,” without elaborating further.

Hamas has repeatedly rejected demands to disarm, saying it will not give up its weapons without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and an end to Israeli occupation.

Israeli officials, meanwhile, have signalled that Israeli forces may remain inside Gaza and retain security control over more than half of the territory, raising questions about the scope and feasibility of the proposed demilitarization.

Witkoff said the first phase of the plan had secured a ceasefire, enabled humanitarian aid deliveries, led to the release of all living hostages, and facilitated the return of the remains of 27 of the 28 deceased captives.

He praised Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye for their mediation, calling their role central to the negotiations and implementation of the agreement.

The initial phase of the ceasefire deal, brokered by Cairo, Doha, Ankara, and Washington, D.C. and signed in Sharm El-Sheikh last October, included a halt to fighting, exchanges of captives and detainees, humanitarian access to Gaza and a partial Israeli troop withdrawal.

Despite the agreement, Israeli forces have continued near-daily military operations in Gaza, killing over 400 Palestinians since the ceasefire took effect on 10 October.

Israel has also maintained severe restrictions on aid deliveries, which have fallen below agreed levels, prompting criticism from regional governments, including Egypt, and international humanitarian organisations.