The US said Wednesday that the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal has been completed and that the process is now entering its next phase, which senior American advisors said envisions a non-political, technocratic Palestinian governing body.
A senior US advisor said current priorities include deconfliction, ensuring humanitarian aid reaches Gaza, recovering bodies of those killed, and restoring order to allow for rebuilding to begin.
During a call with reporters, two senior US advisors provided updates on the latest developments and the status of the deal brokered by Washington.Israel expressed frustration Wednesday over the number of dead hostages returned by Hamas, which was reportedly 28 before the ceasefire.
Hamas handed over two additional bodies on Wednesday, bringing the total to seven, but said it could not locate the remains of others.
Asked about the criticism and whether Hamas had violated the deal by failing to return more hostages, both senior advisors urged patience.
“The entire Gaza Strip has been pulverized. It looks like something out of a movie, and there are very, very few buildings left standing. But on top of all of that, all of that debris… On top of all that debris is a lot of unexploded ordinance, and presumably, under that unexploded ordinance and that debris, there are many bodies,” one of the advisors said.
The second advisor added that the original understanding with Hamas was that all living hostages would be released, “which they did honor.”
“The sentiment in Israel is always, ‘they can do more, they can do more.’ But what we basically say to the Israeli side… is give us whatever intelligence you’re hearing or seeing, let’s pass it over, and then, let’s push them, challenge them,” the second advisor said.
The advisors also revealed that a program will soon be unveiled, offering locals financial incentives to help locate bodies “for that type of good behavior.”
Disarming Hamas
Despite conflicting statements from Hamas, the advisors said the militant group remains committed to the ceasefire terms, including disarmament.
The agreement signed by Hamas includes a clause requiring the group to disarm, the advisors said. US President Donald Trump reiterated this week that Hamas will disarm, warning that the US would do so “quickly, and perhaps violently” if the group fails to comply.
The second advisor said all indications suggest Hamas remains committed to disarmament.
“It’s not realistic to think everyone’s just going to walk in, drop their arms and say, ‘hey, there you go,’” the second advisor said, noting fears among Hamas members of retribution from other Palestinians in Gaza.
Calling for patience, the advisor said discussions are underway to begin reconstruction in areas free of Hamas control to “make functional areas of Gaza that hopefully can be the examples for what could be possible if this program is successful.”
Aid will continue flowing into Gaza, but no reconstruction funds will go to areas controlled by Hamas, the advisors said.
“We’re not at a point yet where anyone feels like the agreement has been violated, but it is a young agreement,” the second advisor added.
