US envoy Steve Witkoff announced the start of phase two of President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, establishing a technocratic Palestinian government and aiming for full demilitarization and reconstruction of the territory. While Hamas and Israel had previously agreed to a ceasefire, key issues remain, including Hamas’s refusal to disarm without an independent state and Israel’s lack of commitment to a full withdrawal. Humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain dire, and regional mediators welcomed the new governance structure. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized the priority of recovering the remains of Ran Gvili, the last dead hostage in Gaza, stating that progress on governance will not affect this goal.
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