(MENAFN) On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump declared the initiation of the next stage in the Gaza ceasefire arrangement, dubbed “phase two,” after the successful liberation of 20 Israeli captives.

The agreement, which was mediated through diplomatic efforts by Türkiye, the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, marked a significant development in the ongoing conflict.

Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to confirm the outcome. “All twenty hostages are back and feeling as good as can be expected,” he posted.

He also emphasized the need for further progress, stating, “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!!!”

The first stage of the accord saw an exchange between Hamas and Israeli forces, in which hundreds of Palestinian detainees were freed from Israel’s infamous Ofer military detention center and other prison facilities situated in the Negev Desert. Concurrently, all 20 Israeli hostages who were alive were handed over.

Ahead of this announcement, Trump held a pivotal summit with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Monday. The gathering took place in the coastal city of Sharm el-Sheikh and brought together global leaders to rally behind Trump’s ceasefire strategy for Gaza.

Under the provisions of phase two, the plan envisions the creation of a new administrative framework in Gaza.

It also involves deploying an international peacekeeping presence and initiating the process of demilitarizing Hamas.

Since October 2023, Israeli military operations have led to the deaths of over 67,000 Palestinians in Gaza, a majority of whom were women and children.

The widespread destruction has rendered much of the region virtually unlivable.

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