Phase two begins, according to Trump
US President Donald Trump announced that phase two of the Gaza ceasefire had begun, while the remains of four deceased hostages were expected to be transferred to Israel. The move comes as a tense lull persists amid ongoing fighting and contested access to aid and humanitarian corridors in the region.
Hostages, bodies, and the easing of tensions
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was en route to a meeting point in southern Gaza to take custody of several coffins believed to contain dead hostages. Hamas had previously informed mediators that it would begin transferring bodies at 10pm local time, with a Reuters official confirming the timing.
Trump, via a post on his social platform, stated that the 20 hostages released on Monday were “feeling as good as can be expected,” adding that “the dead have not been returned, as promised,” and declaring that “Phase two begins right now.”
Israel has indicated the Rafah border crossing with Egypt will remain closed at least through Wednesday, with aid into Gaza expected to be reduced to pressure Hamas to hand over the remaining hostages’ bodies and address the broader ceasefire commitments.
Aid access and the ceasefire’s stated terms
Despite the ceasefire, aid logistics have faced friction. Israel has told the United Nations it will permit only 300 aid trucks—half the agreed number—into Gaza from Wednesday, and no fuel or gas would be sent in except for specific humanitarian infrastructure needs. The UN confirmed that COGAT, the Israeli military body overseeing aid flows, communicated these restrictions, which were tied to Hamas’s perceived failure to fully honor the body-release component of the agreement.
The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted the ongoing concerns about the pace of aid deliveries and the restrictions, while the international community watches for a fuller implementation of the ceasefire provisions that were supposed to enable more robust humanitarian access.
Violence in the Gaza Strip and the ceasefire’s fragility
Even as exchanges took place, fighting and casualties continued. The IDF reported a series of clashes, including drone and air strikes that killed several Palestinians in different areas, and soldiers stated they opened fire to neutralize threats in northern Gaza when suspects allegedly approached forces after violating the ceasefire lines. Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire, signaling the fragility of any long-term truces in a densely wounded area.
Families of hostages have expressed fear that some remains may be lost amid the rubble, prompting calls for consistent, verifiable recovery efforts as part of any broader resolution. A special international task force has been established to assist in locating bodies, though Hamas has suggested the search might be hampered by the infrastructure damage in Gaza.
International responses and prospects for a broader settlement
Trump’s involvement, including a summit in Egypt that aimed to galvanize international support for a Gaza stabilization framework, yielded little concrete progress toward a lasting mechanism — such as a multinational peacekeeping or governance arrangement or a disarming agreement with Hamas. Officials cautioned that while phase two has begun, the real measure of progress will be the reliable delivery of aid, the safe return of the remaining hostages or bodies, and the disarmament of militant factions as offered in broader regional proposals.
What comes next
Analysts say the next 24 to 72 hours will be critical for assessing whether humanitarian corridors can be expanded, hostages’ fates can be clarified, and a more durable trust framework can be advanced. The international community continues to press for clarity on terms, timelines, and enforcement mechanisms that could reduce civilian harm and improve access to essential services in Gaza.
