The American envoy, Steve Witkoff, officially announced this evening (Wednesday) the transition to Phase Two in the Gaza Strip - this, despite the fact that the last hostage, Major Ran Gueili, is still being held by Hamas in Gaza.
The statement he issued read: "Today, on behalf of President Trump, we are announcing the launch of phase two of the President's 20-point plan to end the conflict in Gaza, transitioning from a ceasefire to demobilization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction.".
""Phase Two establishes a technocratic Palestinian transitional government in Gaza, operating under the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), and begins the full demilitarization and rehabilitation of Gaza, notably the disarmament of all 'unauthorized' (Hamas and Islamic Jihad). The United States expects Hamas to fully comply with its obligations, including the immediate return of the last captured civilian. Failure to do so will have serious consequences.".
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He added: "It is important to note that Phase One provided historic humanitarian assistance, maintained the ceasefire, returned all living hostages and the remains of 27 of the 28 hostages who died. We are grateful to Egypt, Turkey and Qatar for their vital mediation efforts that have made all the progress possible so far.".
""Netanyahu made it clear that Rani's return is our top priority""
Taliq Guili, Rani's mother who is in Miami to put pressure on the Americans, said in response to Witkoff's announcement of the transition to Phase II in Gaza - that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with the family, and asked to make it clear to them that Rani's return is his top priority.
""We spoke a short time ago with the Prime Minister, who called us. The Prime Minister made it clear that Rani's return is our top priority.".
""The declarative move to establish a technocratic committee and any other move will not contradict or affect the efforts to return Rani to Israel's grave.".
The statement on Phase 2 focuses on the demand for Hamas to disarm and the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, no IDF withdrawal until they are disarmed, no construction, no rehabilitation. The Rafah crossing has also not yet been opened despite the pressures because we insist on Rani.
""Efforts to return Rani are being made both in the intelligence field, both operationally and in contacts with the mediators. We have unequivocal demands from Hamas because we have passed on intelligence information and things we demanded have not yet happened.".
""Therefore, anything that is expected to happen will not affect the efforts and the demand to return Rani.".
The Prime Minister's Office issued a statement after the conversation between him and Ran Guili's parents: "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke this evening with Tali and Itzik Guili, the parents of the abducted soldier, the late Major Ran Guili. Netanyahu made it clear that the return of Ran is Israel's top priority and that the declarative move to establish a committee of technocrats will not affect efforts to return Ran to Israel's grave.".
""The Prime Minister made it clear that the Israeli government insists that information provided to the mediators by the Coordinator of the Peace Process and his team be immediately transformed into effective actions on the ground. Hamas is required to meet the requirements of the agreement to maintain a 100% effort to return the fallen hostages, down to the last of them - Ran Gweily, a hero of Israel.".
According to the Wall Street Journal, President Trump is expected to name during the day the 15 Palestinian members of the committee who will temporarily administer the Strip - and will assume responsibility for the daily management of the enclave, including issues of sanitation, infrastructure, and education.
A Palestinian source told Sky News in Arabic that the technocrat committee is expected to be headed by Ali Shaath, and that the person responsible for the security portfolio in the Gaza Strip will be Muhammad Basman, a retired employee of the Palestinian General Intelligence Service.
