U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said on Saturday that progress is being made in implementing the Gaza peace plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Witkoff wrote on the social media platform X after a day of exploratory talks with representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey: 'The first phase has yielded progress, including the expansion of humanitarian aid, the return of hostages' remains, partial troop withdrawals, and a reduction in hostilities.' He added: 'Further 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 involves the reconstruction of the devastated region. Israel insists on the need to return the last hostage's body in Gaza, which is one of the conditions specified in the first phase of the plan. The plan also calls for the disarmament of factions, which have stated they will not give up their weapons. Witkoff also stated that the talks 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 a Peace Council in the near future as a transitional administration for civil and security tracks and reconstruction.' The establishment of the Peace Council is one of the 20 points in the Gaza peace plan that Trump unveiled in late September. Under the proposal, Gaza will be temporarily managed by a committee of non-partisan technocrats under the supervision of a new transitional body known as the Peace Council, which Trump has said he intends to lead.
