Phase two of peace plan begins in Gaza, EU “ready to continue” supporting it

Brussels – On Wednesday evening (15 January), the United States announced the start of the second phase of the peace agreement between Israel and Hamas for the Gaza Strip. This phase provides, among other things, for the demilitarisation of Hamas, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, the deployment of an international stabilisation force and the creation of a Palestinian technical committee for the administration of the territory. Only on this last point has progress been made. “We look forward to the implementation of the entire peace plan,” the European Commission emphasised in a note. 

The announcement was made on social media by Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who, however, did not provide any details or the names of potential members of the Gaza administration committee. According to the 20-point plan drawn up by Washington, the committee will be supervised by a “Peace Council”, led by Donald Trump and composed of heads of state and international observers. In a joint statement, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey specified that the Palestinian experts’ committee will be composed of 15 members and led by Ali Shaat, a former deputy minister of the Palestinian National Authority. 

The European Commission has “welcomed the announcement of the launch of the second phase of the United States’ 20-point plan to end the conflict in Gaza, endorsed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, and in particular the appointment of a Palestinian national committee for the administration of Gaza with the support of the Palestinian Authority.” 

Hamas has given its support to the formation of the committee for the administration of Gaza. The Israeli government has agreed to the start of the second phase, although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described it as “a formal move” that will not ultimately change Israel’s plans in the Strip. 

In phase one, Israeli forces withdrew to a ceasefire line that allowed Tel Aviv to maintain control of 58 per cent of the Gaza Strip. Since 10 October, the date of the ceasefire, Israeli bombing of Gaza has decreased but not ceased. Approximately 450 Palestinians have been killed in these three months, and no agreement has been reached on the disarmament of Hamas. 

Witkoff assured that the second phase will begin with the “complete demilitarisation and reconstruction of Gaza, primarily the disarmament of all unauthorised personnel”. Very little is known about another key aspect of phase two: the deployment of an international security force in the Strip. The European Union has said it is “ready to continue supporting peace in Gaza through its humanitarian, security, diplomatic, and cooperation instruments“.