The United States announced the start of phase two of President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza. US envoy Steve Witkoff said this stage involves setting up a technocratic Palestinian government to manage Gaza. The plan also aims for Gaza's reconstruction and full demilitarisation, including Hamas and other groups giving up their weapons. "The US expects Hamas to comply fully with its obligations," Witkoff warned, adding Hamas must return the body of the last dead Israeli hostage. "Failure to do so will bring serious consequences." Phase one, agreed in October, included a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, a hostage-prisoner swap, a partial Israeli pullback, and increased aid. After the US announcement, Egypt, Gaza officials, and Turkey welcomed the new "Palestinian Technocratic Committee to Administer the Gaza Strip." They said this 15-member body, led by Ali Shaath, a former deputy planning minister in the Palestinian Authority (PA), will help improve stability and the humanitarian situation. The transition team will report to a "Board of Peace" chaired by Trump, as part of a 20-point plan released three months ago. Details about the board are expected soon, during Trump's visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos. Nickolay Mladenov, former UN envoy, will represent the board on the ground in Gaza. Hamas and its ally, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), said they support forming the technocratic government and will provide an environment for it to work. The PA, dominated by rival party Fatah, also backed the plan. Vice-President Hussein al-Sheikh said Trump's leadership had created "a new opportunity for peace, stability, and good governance." He called on all Palestinian groups to ensure the success of this phase. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with the parents of Ran Gvili, the last dead Israeli hostage in Gaza. Netanyahu stressed returning Ran for burial in Israel remains a top priority and that the new committee will not stop efforts for his return. Ran Gvili, 24, was a police officer abducted during the Hamas attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 captured. Israel's military response to the attack has killed over 71,430 people in Gaza, according to Hamas' health ministry.