Witkoff reveals developments in implementing Trump’s peace plan in Gaza

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said on Saturday that progress is being made in implementing the Gaza peace plan put forward by US President Donald Trump..

“The first phase has resulted in progress, including the expansion of humanitarian aid, the return of hostage bodies, partial troop withdrawals, and a reduction in hostilities,” Witkopf wrote on the X platform after a day of exploratory talks with representatives from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey.

He added: “More consultations will continue in the coming weeks to move forward with the implementation of the second phase.”

The second phase of the Gaza peace plan includes the reconstruction of the devastated area. Israel insists on the need to return the body of the last hostage in Gaza, which is one of the conditions specified in the first phase of the plan..

The plan also calls for the disarmament of the factions, which have said they will not give up their weapons.

Witkopf said the talks also focused on measures to facilitate trade in the region and develop infrastructure.

He continued: “In this context, we expressed our support for the establishment and activation of the Peace Council in the near term as a transitional administration for the civil, security and reconstruction tracks.”

The establishment of the peace council is one of 20 points in the Gaza peace plan that Trump unveiled in late September.

Under the proposal, Gaza would be temporarily run by a committee of nonpartisan technocrats, under the supervision of a new transitional body known as the Peace Council, which Trump says he intends to chair..