Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that Israel and Hamas are expected to soon enter the second phase of a ceasefire agreement, contingent upon Hamas returning the remains of the last identified hostage from Gaza. This development comes during a news conference with visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, where Netanyahu highlighted that the next phase could commence as early as the end of the month.
The resolution of this phase hinges on the return of Ran Gvili’s remains, a 24-year-old police officer who lost his life during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which initiated the ongoing conflict.
The second stage of the ceasefire is set to focus on disarming Hamas and withdrawing Israeli forces from Gaza. Additionally, it will involve the deployment of an international force tasked with securing Gaza and establishing a temporary Palestinian government to manage daily operations. This government would operate under the oversight of an international board with leadership from U.S. President Donald Trump.
In a noteworthy development, a senior Hamas official indicated that the group is open to discussing various approaches regarding their weapons, including options to “freeze, store, or lay down” arms. This position may pave the way for meaningful negotiations surrounding one of the most challenging aspects of the ceasefire.
As discussions progress, there remains cautious optimism that the ongoing efforts could lead to a more stable and peaceful resolution in the region.
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