The US says it is entering the next phase of the Gaza peace process, warning Hamas of “dire consequences” if the last body is not returned.
The United States says it is moving forward the next section of a Gaza peace plan that includes disarming Hamas, reconstruction and day-to-day governance.
Trump’s ambassador, Steve Witkoff, said in the X post that this second phase of the “20-point plan to end the conflict in Gaza” will be based on the first ceasefire agreement that was agreed late last year to end the war. Gazaestablishing a new government of technology and reconstruction.
Witkoff said the US expects Hamas to return the last hostage immediately as part of its obligations under the deal.
“Failure to do so will have dire consequences,” Witkoff wrote.
Witkoff did not provide details about who will serve in the new Palestinian interim government that will govern Gaza. The White House also did not immediately provide additional details.
The negotiators of the ceasefire agreement – Egypt, Turkey and Qatar – welcomed the establishment of the committee and said it would be chaired by Ali Shaath, a former deputy minister in the Palestinian Authority.
“This is an important development to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza,” they said in a joint statement.
This native of Gaza served as deputy minister of transport with the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority. Shaath, an engineer, specializes in economic development and reconstruction, according to his biography on the website of the Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told Al-Jazeera Live on Wednesday that Witkoff’s announcement is an important and positive development, adding that the group is ready to hand over the administration of Gaza to an independent technical committee and continue its work.
“Hamas is ready to engage in Palestinian ways to discuss the issue of weapons of resistance,” Qassem said in a statement sent to his Telegram channel.
The body of the last hostage is believed to be that of Ran Gvili, who worked for the Israeli police. After helping people escape Nova music festival during the October 7 attack, he was killed fighting elsewhere and his body was taken to Gaza. The military confirmed his death four months later. He is survived by his parents and sister.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke Wednesday evening with Gvili’s parents, Tali and Itzik Gvili, and told them that the return of their son remains a priority, his office said in a statement.
“The move to announce the establishment of a technical committee will not interfere with efforts to return Ran to the grave of Israel,” the statement said.
The statement added that Israel would act on any information the mediators received and said that Hamas is required under the ceasefire agreement to do everything possible to return all hostages.
In total, 20 living hostages and the remains of 27 others be returned in Israel since a The US-imposed ceasefire began in early October. The return of the remains is an important part of the terms of the initial ceasefire, which was held between Hamas and Israel. they blame each other of violations.
