US Moves to Gaza Phase Two While One Hostage Remains

Witkoff stressed that Hamas is expected to meet all remaining obligations under the agreement, including the return of the final deceased Israeli hostage.

By United with Israel Staff

The Trump administration announced Wednesday that it is moving forward with Phase Two of its Gaza plan, shifting from a ceasefire framework toward demilitarization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction.

The announcement was made by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who said the decision marked the formal launch of the next stage of President Donald Trump’s 20-point proposal to end the war.

“Today, on behalf of President Trump, we are announcing the launch of Phase Two of the President’s 20-Point Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, moving from ceasefire to demilitarization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction,” Witkoff wrote in a post on X.

He said Phase Two establishes a transitional technocratic Palestinian administration in Gaza — the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza — and initiates what he described as “the full demilitarization and reconstruction of Gaza, primarily the disarmament of all unauthorized personnel.”

Witkoff stressed that Hamas is expected to meet all remaining obligations under the agreement, including the return of the final deceased Israeli hostage.

“The U.S. expects Hamas to comply fully with its obligations, including the immediate return of the final deceased hostage,” he wrote, warning that failure to do so “will bring serious consequences.”

He added that Phase One had already “delivered historic humanitarian aid, maintained the ceasefire, returned all living hostages and the remains of twenty-seven of the twenty-eight deceased hostages,” and thanked Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar for their mediation.

Earlier in the day, reports of a possible move to Phase Two triggered an immediate response from Israeli hostage families, focused on the fate of the final fallen captive whose remains have not yet been recovered — police officer Ran Gvili.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to move forward, warning that advancing before Ran’s return would forfeit Israel’s remaining leverage.

Families affiliated with the Hope Forum similarly cautioned that proceeding while Hamas remains in control would allow the group to rearm and rebuild, insisting that Gaza’s rehabilitation must wait until Ran is returned.

After the announcement, the Prime Minister’s Office said Netanyahu spoke with Ran’s parents, Tali and Itzik Gvili, and stressed that returning their son “remains at the top of Israel’s priorities.”

Netanyahu emphasized that the declarative move to establish a technocratic body would not affect recovery efforts and said Hamas is required to exert a “100% effort” to return all fallen hostages, “to the very last one — Ran Gvili.”

Tali Gvili echoed that assurance, saying the family was told that no diplomatic or administrative step would interfere with bringing her son home for burial in Israel.