Phase Two Begins as Hostage Remains Return and Aid Is Limited
The White House announced that phase two of the Gaza ceasefire has begun, a development closely watched by international observers who fear the conflict could flare again. President Donald Trump declared the next stage in a social media post, stating that the 20 live hostages released Monday were “feeling as good as can be expected,” while emphasizing that the dead have not yet been returned as promised. He added, “Phase two begins right now!”
In a parallel move, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was en route to a meeting point in southern Gaza to transfer coffins containing the bodies of deceased hostages into their custody. A Hamas mediator indicated that the group would begin transferring bodies at 10pm local time. The ongoing negotiations and timing of body handovers are central to the ceasefire’s terms and the subsequent political maneuvering on both sides.
The ceasefire agreement, negotiated with mediators, stipulates that all remaining hostages, dead or alive, should be handed over within 72 hours of the ceasefire’s start. The first phase delivered 20 live hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian detainees; however, only four dead hostages were handed over in this initial exchange. The IDF confirmed one of the four identified deceased hostages was a Nepalese student, underscoring the human cost carried by families awaiting closure and accountability.
Aid Flows and Border Closures
Israeli officials said the Rafah border crossing with Egypt would remain closed at least through Wednesday, and the flow of aid into Gaza would be reduced to pressure Hamas to cooperate with the remaining body handovers. The United Nations and aid agencies have warned that restricted access could exacerbate a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where residents depend on international assistance for food, medical care, and essential supplies.
UN authorities cited a note from COGAT, the Israeli military unit overseeing aid, which said that the suspension and redistribution of aid were a punitive measure tied to perceived violations by Hamas related to the body handovers. The note also indicated that only 300 aid trucks would be allowed into Gaza daily, about half of what was initially agreed, and that fuel and gas shipments would be limited to humanitarian infrastructure needs.
The Human Cost and Accountability
Even as negotiations continue, violence has persisted. Israeli operations accompanied by lethal force targeted individuals approaching troops, claiming they posed threats. Palestinian health authorities reported casualties as clashes unfolded around Gaza and near Khan Younis, while Hamas asserted that Israeli forces violated the ceasefire by continuing to operate in vulnerable zones.
Families of hostages have voiced fear that the remains of loved ones could be lost amid rubble, a risk acknowledged by Trump and others involved in the mediation. An international task force has been established to assist in locating bodies that Hamas could not recover, though the group has argued that locating specific corpses in densely destroyed areas could be extremely difficult.
Hamas Reasserts Presence as Israeli Withdrawals Continue
With Israeli troops having begun a partial withdrawal, Hamas has quickly reasserted control over parts of Gaza’s urban landscape. Reports circulated of fighters in city centers, and troubling footage emerged showing militants detaining and executing individuals, a development that stokes concern about the broader security environment in the region.
Global stakeholders, including the United States and Egypt, hosted discussions aimed at shaping an international approach to Gaza’s governance and security. While some officials circulated summaries of back-channel discussions suggesting progress toward a multinational stabilization mechanism, no definitive public agreement has yet been announced.
The situation remains fluid, with the ABC reporting ongoing low-level diplomacy and the international community urging adherence to the ceasefire terms to prevent a slide back into renewed violence.
What Comes Next
As phase two unfolds, the critical tests will be: (1) the timely handover of all remaining hostages or their remains, (2) the restoration of humanitarian aid with safe corridors, and (3) credible enforcement of the ceasefire by all parties. The international community will continue to monitor adherence, while families who have endured years of fear and uncertainty await closure and accountability for the missing and deceased.
