Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that Israel and Hamas are expected to enter the “second phase of the ceasefire” soon, following the return of the last hostage’s remains held in Gaza. This announcement was made during a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, where Netanyahu highlighted that this next phase aims to disarm Hamas and facilitate the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, which could begin by the end of the month.
The remains of 24-year-old police officer Ran Gvili, who died during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, have not yet been returned to his family. Gvili’s body, currently in Gaza, is a critical factor in the advancement of the ceasefire process.
The second phase is also set to include the establishment of an international security force in Gaza and the creation of a temporary Palestinian government to oversee daily operations, supervised by an international board led by U.S. President Donald Trump.
In a positive development, a senior official from Hamas expressed openness to discussing measures for “freezing, storing, or laying down” their weapons as part of this ceasefire initiative, suggesting a potential willingness to negotiate on one of the most contentious issues in the conflict.
These developments signify a hopeful moment for achieving a lasting resolution to the ongoing hostilities and highlight possible avenues for progress in the region.