Following the return of the last hostage’s remains held by a terrorist organization in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed optimism that Israel and Hamas would “soon enter the second phase of a ceasefire.” This statement came during a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, where he noted that initial steps of President Donald Trump’s comprehensive ceasefire plan were progressing.
Netanyahu indicated that by the end of the year, discussions could begin regarding disarming Hamas and pulling Israeli troops out of Gaza. Meanwhile, the remains of Ran Gviri, a 24-year-old police officer killed in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack which ignited the conflict, have not yet been returned. His body was taken to Gaza.
The Associated Press has reported that plans for the subsequent steps are already being mapped out.
The second phase is expected to involve the presence of international forces in Gaza, as well as the formation of a Palestinian transitional government supervised by the U.S. International Council led by President Trump.
A senior official from Hamas mentioned that the group is open to talks regarding the “freezing, storing, and dismantling” of weapons as part of the ceasefire negotiations, a complex topic still under consideration.
Netanyahu acknowledged skepticism around the feasibility of achieving the first and second phases of the ceasefire, recalling that many doubted the first phase would even occur. He remarked on the challenges ahead but expressed a commitment to the process despite criticism regarding its potential success.
“As I mentioned to the prime minister, there’s a third step: the deradicalization of Gaza. Many thought it was impossible, but it has been achieved in places like Germany, Japan, and the Gulf states. It can happen in Gaza, but dismantling Hamas is crucial,” he said.
The exchange of Gviri’s remains along with Israel returning 15 Palestinian bodies would finalize the initial phase of Trump’s ceasefire initiative.
