US envoy, Israeli PM discuss phase two of Gaza truce, trapped fighters

US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, met on Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the next stages of the fragile Gaza ceasefire, while Israel returned the remains of another 15 Palestinians.

The remains of four hostages are still in Gaza after Hamas released the remains of another on Sunday.

Israel’s government spokesperson said Netanyahu and Kushner had discussed disarming Hamas, demilitarising Gaza and ensuring the group would never again have a governing role in the enclave — all issues to be resolved in the next phase of truce talks.

An official briefed on the details of Monday’s meeting said it had focused on both the issue of the trapped fighters and an international stabilisation force envisaged for Gaza under Trump’s plan.

There are around 200 fighters in the tunnels under Rafah in the Gaza zone still controlled by Israel’s military, with Hamas demanding they be allowed to depart - something Israel has so far resisted.

The first stage of the ceasefire agreement that took effect on Oct.10 is nearing its end. The next stage calls for the implementation of a governing body for Gaza and the deployment of an international stabilisation force. It is not clear where either stands.

For each Israeli hostage returned, Israel has been releasing the remains of 15 Palestinians - an exchange central to the ceasefire’s first phase. The Gaza Health Ministry said the total number of remains received is now 315.

Only 91 have been identified, the ministry said. Forensic work is complicated by a lack of DNA testing kits in Gaza. The ministry posts photos of the remains online in the hope that families will recognize them.

One mother waited at Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis, wondering whether her missing 15-year-old son was among the new remains returned. He disappeared while on the way to school on Oct.7, 2023.

“Rayyan has been missing for two years. I don’t know his fate, whether he’s still alive or dead,” Shaima Abu Ouda said. She said he vanished near the wall separating Gaza and southern Israel. Her husband and eldest son were killed during the war.

On Sunday, Israel confirmed it had received the remains of Hadar Goldin, a soldier killed in the Gaza Strip in 2014, closing a painful chapter for the country. The 23-year-old was killed two hours after a ceasefire took effect in that year’s war between Israel and Hamas.

His remains had been the only ones left in Gaza predating the current war between Israel and Hamas. A funeral was scheduled for Tuesday.

Netanyahu and Kushner discussed the progress and future of the ceasefire, said Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian.

The deal has focused on the first phase of halting the fighting, releasing all hostages and boosting humanitarian aid to Gaza. Details of the second phase haven’t been worked out.

Kushner also was helping to lead negotiations to secure safe passage for 150-200 trapped Hamas fighters in exchange for surrendering their weapons after the release of Goldin’s remains, according to someone close to the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the talks. Bedrosian did not say where those negotiations were headed. Hamas has made no comment on a possible exchange for its fighters stuck in the so-called yellow zone of territory controlled by Israeli forces, though it has acknowledged that clashes were taking place there.

Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank village of Umm Al Khair, which was featured in the Oscar-winning documentary “No Other Land,” was bracing on Monday for the arrival of Israeli military bulldozers.

The documentary chronicles villagers’ attempts to survive state-backed demolitions and rampant violence from Israeli settlers.

Residents say Israel has ordered the demolition of 14 structures, including the community center, greenhouse and family homes. A press release from the community said the demolitions could begin on Tuesday.

Israel says the structures were built illegally. Residents, determined to stay on their land, say it is impossible to secure permits to build in the West Bank, leaving them little choice but to rebuild their homes following demolitions.

Associated Press