Overview
- U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff declared Phase Two underway, shifting from the October ceasefire to disarmament, a transitional technocratic administration and reconstruction.
- A 15-member National Committee to administer Gaza is being assembled; diplomats report Ali Shaath as chair, with Nickolay Mladenov designated to supervise on behalf of a U.S.-backed Peace Council.
- Washington warned Hamas to meet its obligations, including returning the remains of the last deceased hostage, Ran Gvili, or face “serious consequences.”
- Israel says it will not fully advance without the body’s return and effective disarmament, has kept the Rafah crossing closed, and has characterized the U.S. announcement as largely declarative.
- Key hurdles include scarce commitments for an International Stabilization Force, unresolved financing for reconstruction estimated above $50 billion, and continued ceasefire violations with hundreds of Palestinian deaths reported since October.