Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that Israel and the terrorist group Hamas will soon move to the second phase of the ceasefire, during which Hamas will return the remains of the last hostage, LETA reported, citing AP.
Netanyahu emphasized that the second stage, concerning the disarmament of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, could begin as early as the end of the month.
Hamas has not yet returned the remains of 24-year-old police officer Ran Gwili, who was killed in an attack organized by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which marked the beginning of the war. His body was taken to the Gaza Strip.
The second phase of the ceasefire also involves the deployment of international forces in Gaza and the establishment of a temporary Palestinian government that will address current issues under the control of an international council led by U.S. President Donald Trump.
On Sunday, a senior Hamas official stated that the group is ready to discuss the freezing, storing, or surrendering of weapons.
The return of Gwili's remains and Israel's transfer of 15 bodies of Palestinians in exchange will complete the first phase of the 20-point ceasefire plan proposed by Trump.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, on Sunday referred to the so-called "yellow line," which separates the Israeli-controlled part of the Gaza Strip from the rest of the territory, as the "new border."
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