After concluding the first phase of the hostage swap on Monday, in which 20 Israeli hostages were released by Hamas in exchange for 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, Trump appealed for a “phase 2” of the ongoing negotiations between Israel and Gaza.The MAGA leader said the “job is not done” and added that the dead have not been returned as promised.Taking to Truth Social, the US President said: “All twenty hostages are back and feeling as good as can be expected. A big burden has been lifted, but the job is not done. The dead have not been returned, as promised! Phase two begins right now!!!”
Israel on Tuesday said that it plans to cut aid to Gaza by half, claiming that Hamas is violating the ceasefire by delaying the return of dead hostages, reports the Associated Press. The announcement was communicated to US officials and international aid groups.After the release of the last living hostages and Palestinian detainees, the fragile ceasefire in Gaza held on Tuesday, but major uncertainties remain. Key issues include when Hamas will return the bodies of 24 hostages believed dead and Israel’s demand that a weakened Hamas disarm. The future governance of Gaza also remains unclear. Gaza’s health ministry reported that the bodies of three people killed by Israeli forces in the north were taken to Al Ahli hospital. The Israeli military said troops “opened fire to remove the threat” of people approaching them without complying with orders. The ceasefire requires Israeli forces to pull back to positions they held in August, before their latest offensive.