Major uncertainties remain regarding the next steps for Israel and Gaza after the first stage of the ceasefire deal saw the release of the last 20 living hostages to Israel and the liberation of over 1,700 Palestinian detainees along with 250 prisoners, reports Baltimore Chronicle with reference to CNN.
Negotiations are ongoing in Egypt, according to sources familiar with the talks. US President Donald Trump announced that “phase two” of the ceasefire agreement is now underway, though no schedule has been set for further high-level discussions as several critical issues remain unresolved. While Hamas returned the bodies of four deceased hostages yesterday, families of the victims expressed shock and disappointment that the remaining 24 have not yet been returned.
Several of the Palestinian prisoners who were released claimed they had experienced abuse during their incarceration in Israeli facilities. Meanwhile, in Gaza, the World Food Programme stated that it plans to increase the delivery of humanitarian aid by the end of the day, opening additional border crossings to allow more supplies into the enclave.
President Trump, when asked if Hamas is complying with the terms of the ceasefire, told reporters, “We’ll find out,” shortly after posting on Truth Social that the second phase of the deal has officially begun.
Israeli authorities have informed the United Nations that the number of humanitarian aid trucks expected to enter Gaza may be reduced or delayed due to the limited return of deceased hostages by Hamas, a UN spokesperson confirmed. According to Reuters, Israel will permit only 300 aid trucks—half of the agreed number—into Gaza from Wednesday, and fuel or gas will be restricted to critical humanitarian infrastructure. CNN has not independently verified this figure.
Under the US-brokered agreement, Hamas and allied groups were expected to release all remaining hostages, alive and deceased, within 72 hours of the ceasefire announcement. So far, only four of 28 deceased hostages have been returned, following the release of 20 living hostages and 1,700 Palestinian detainees. Israeli assessments suggest that Hamas may not be able to locate or return all remaining bodies in Gaza.
Earlier we wrote that Netanyahu meets Trump in Israel after Hamas hostage release ahead of Gaza summit.
