US envoy says Miami talks center on unified Gazan authority as ceasefire advances

WASHINGTON — U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said high-level talks in Miami with representatives from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey focused on moving toward a unified Gazan authority to govern Gaza as the ceasefire advances into a second phase. The discussions, part of a U.S.-led effort to implement a Comprehensive Peace Plan for Gaza, addressed how a future governing body would protect civilians and maintain public order, while also laying groundwork for broader regional integration.

In a post on X, Witkoff wrote that the parties discussed what he described as essential elements of phase two, including enabling a governing body in Gaza under a unified Gazan authority. He said the discussions also covered regional integration measures such as trade facilitation, infrastructure development and cooperation on energy, water and other shared resources, all of which he framed as critical to Gaza’s recovery, regional stability and long-term prosperity. Witkoff noted the importance of sequencing, coordination and effective monitoring in partnership with local Gazan institutions and international partners as the plan progresses.

The talks also took stock of what has already been achieved in the first phase. Witkoff said the initial phase yielded measurable progress, including the flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, a reduction in hostilities and a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from some areas. He cited the release of all living hostages and most of the deceased hostages as a significant element of the first phase, while noting that Ran Gvili, an Israeli police officer killed during the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, remained the last remaining hostage in Hamas captivity. The participants in Miami discussed how to sustain those gains as the plan moves into its next stages.

The Miami meeting followed a prior session in Cairo that reportedly included Turkey’s intelligence leadership, Egypt’s intelligence chiefs and Qatar’s prime minister. A Turkish source quoted by Reuters described the talks as emphasizing continued coordination and cooperation with the Civil Military Coordination Center to eliminate obstacles to the ceasefire and to prevent violations. The discussions also touched on efforts to counter reported Israeli ceasefire violations as part of a broader mechanism to monitor and verify compliance on the ground.

The agreed framework for phase two envisions the deployment of an international stabilization force and the formation of an international body to govern Gaza, alongside a process for the disarmament of Hamas. Reports cited by participating outlets, including The Times of Israel, say Israel would move further from the so-called “yellow line” ahead of the international force taking over. The specifics of how and when such steps would occur remain under negotiation among the mediating states, Gulf partners and the Palestinian authorities, with international partners expected to provide monitoring, verification and support for governance structures.

Officials have emphasized that any future governance arrangement would work in concert with local Gazan institutions and civil society groups, aiming to protect civilians and restore public services, governance, and economic activity. Observers note that the success of phase two will hinge on credible monitoring, enforceable commitments from all parties, and a credible international presence that can deter violations while facilitating essential reconstruction and humanitarian work. The talks in Miami, together with the Cairo discussions, illustrate a persistent international effort to bridge immediate humanitarian needs with longer-term political and security arrangements in Gaza.

As the talks continue, observers say the process remains intricate and highly conditional on sustained cooperation from regional actors, the Palestinian Authority, and donor nations. While the first phase delivered tangible relief and some hostage progress, the path ahead involves difficult tradeoffs over security, governance, border arrangements, and regional ties that will shape the prospects for a lasting ceasefire and a durable political settlement. The parties in Miami and Cairo have stressed that the next steps must be sequenced, verifiable and resilient to changes on the ground, with a strong emphasis on protecting civilians and rebuilding trust among Gaza’s fragmented communities.

The broader context remains the aim of a comprehensive peace framework for Gaza that balances humanitarian relief with political and security arrangements. With international mediators signaling willingness to support an enduring stabilization effort, the coming weeks could prove decisive for whether the outline of phase two translates into concrete governance mechanisms, a credible security arrangement and measurable improvements in the daily lives of people in Gaza and neighboring regions. The situation on the ground, the views of local leaders, and the response of regional powers will all factor into whether the phased plan can move from negotiation to implementation in a credible and sustainable way.