US mediator Jared Kushner met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday to discuss the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, as Washington intensifies efforts to stabilise the fragile truce.
The ceasefire, in effect for a month, has largely halted hostilities following Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. During the first phase, a series of prisoner and hostage exchanges took place.
Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian said the talks focused on phase two, which includes disarming Hamas, demilitarising Gaza, and establishing an international stabilisation force.
“Together, they discussed bringing remaining hostages home and planning for the future of Gaza, ensuring Hamas will have no role,” Bedrosian said.
However, Hamas has consistently rejected disarmament as a red line.
While the Gaza ceasefire has reduced fighting, Israel and Hamas continue to accuse each other of violations. Israel has also intensified operations against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon despite a ceasefire since November.
Gaza’s health ministry reports at least 242 Palestinians killed since October 10, while the Israeli military says it killed two fighters approaching the boundary known as the “Yellow Line.” Independent verification is limited due to media restrictions.
“Whoever seeks to harm us, we harm them,” Netanyahu said in parliament. “We are determined to enforce with an iron fist the ceasefire agreements where they exist, and you can see what happens every day in Lebanon.”
Israel reports killing 15 Hezbollah members in Lebanon since early November.
Egypt, Qatar, and Turkiye are among potential participants in the proposed international stabilisation force for Gaza. However, the UAE has expressed reluctance to join without a clear operational framework. Turkiye has expressed interest, but Netanyahu has ruled out Turkish involvement on the ground.
Since the truce began, Hamas has returned all 20 living hostages and the remains of 24 captives, while Israel has freed nearly 2,000 prisoners and returned 315 bodies of Palestinian captives. On Monday, Israel returned the remains of 15 Palestinians, including the remains of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, missing since 2014.
Despite progress, Gazans remain anxious about their safety and living conditions. “We still do not feel safe. Shooting continues… life in Gaza is hard. Many families remain homeless,” said Salma Abu Shawish, a resident of Al-Bureij refugee camp.
