UPDATE: The United States is reportedly set to advance to Phase Two of the Gaza ceasefire plan, despite Hamas not yet disarming or returning the remains of Ran Gvili, the final hostage. This urgent decision comes just weeks after a truce was established, which required Hamas to return all hostages within 72 hours and initiate disarmament.
The situation escalated when Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed that Gvili’s body is buried under rubble, complicating the release efforts. Hamas co-leader Khalil al-Hayya has publicly stated that disarmament will only occur “if the occupation ends,” while rival leader Khaled Mashaal emphasized that total disarmament is “unacceptable” for their resistance.
In a significant development, US officials disclosed that President Trump informed Prime Minister Netanyahu during their recent meeting at Mar-a-Lago that Washington is committed to retrieving Gvili’s remains and disarming Hamas. However, Trump also specified that the US will not delay the start of Phase Two based on these conditions.
Negotiations involving the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey have led to a proposed gradual disarmament plan, which includes decommissioning heavy weaponry first, followed by a “buy-back” scheme for lighter arms. Nonetheless, Jerusalem insists that Phase Two, which aims to establish governance in post-war Gaza and initiate reconstruction, cannot commence until both disarmament and the return of Gvili’s remains are fulfilled.
Next week, Trump is expected to unveil a governance framework for Gaza, which could feature a Board of Peace chaired by him, alongside a technocratic committee of Palestinian officials. The security arrangements would involve an International Stabilisation Force, although Israel has firmly opposed Turkish participation, and Azerbaijan has ruled out contributing troops.
The urgency of this situation is compounded by the ongoing search for Gvili’s body, which was resumed after a month-long hiatus. Gvili, a 24-year-old master sergeant in the police’s Yam counter-terror unit, was killed on October 7, 2023, while bravely defending Kibbutz Alumim during a terrorist incursion.
On Monday, Gvili’s parents met with Israel’s Sephardic chief rabbi, David Yosef, who expressed his condolences and emphasized the Jewish obligation to ensure Gvili receives a proper burial. “We are all praying, and I call upon every Israeli to help bring him home,” said Yosef, highlighting the emotional weight of this crisis.
As these negotiations unfold, the international community watches closely, with profound implications for peace and stability in the region. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
