Netanyahu casts 2nd phase of Gaza truce deal as largely symbolic while Hamas welcomes move

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cast the U.S. announcement that the fragile ceasefire in Gaza would advance to its second phase as largely symbolic, raising questions about how its more challenging elements will be carried out.

Speaking late Wednesday with the parents of the last Israeli hostage whose remains are still in Gaza, Netanyahu said the governing committee of Palestinians announced as part of the second phase was merely a "declarative move," rather than the sign of progress described by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.

Israeli police officer Ran Gvili's parents had earlier pressed Netanyahu not to advance the ceasefire until their son's remains were returned, Israel's Hostage and Missing Families Forum said Wednesday.

Netanyahu told Gvili's parents that his return remained a top priority.

The announcement of the ceasefire's second phase marked a significant step forward but left many questions unanswered.

Those include the makeup of a proposed, apolitical governing committee of Palestinian experts and an international "Board of Peace."

The committee's composition was co-ordinated with Israel, said an Israeli official speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Questions also include the timing of deployment of international forces and the reopening of Gaza's southern Rafah border crossing, as well as concrete details about disarming Hamas and rebuilding Gaza.

The second phase of the ceasefire will confront thornier issues than the first, including disarming Hamas and transitioning to a new governance structure after nearly two decades of the group's rule in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas has said it will dissolve its existing government to make way for the committee announced as part of the ceasefire's second phase. But it has not made clear what will happen to its military arm or the scores of Hamas-affiliated civil servants and the civilian police.

Bassem Naim, a member of the group's political bureau, said Thursday that Hamas welcomed the announcement of the committee as a step toward establishing an independent Palestinian state, but did not elaborate on the issues in question.

He said on X that "the ball is now in the court" of the United States and international mediators to allow it to operate.

Israel has insisted Hamas must lay down its weapons, while the groups' leaders have rejected calls to surrender despite two years of war, saying Palestinians have "the right to resist."

Palestinians in Gaza who spoke to The Associated Press questioned what moving into Phase 2 would actually change on the ground, pointing to ongoing bloodshed and challenges securing basic necessities.