(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump declared the initiation of “phase two” of the Gaza ceasefire agreement on Tuesday, following the successful release of 20 Israeli hostages as part of the first phase of a deal negotiated by Türkiye, the US, Qatar, and Egypt.

"All twenty hostages are back and feeling as good as can be expected," Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social.

He emphasized the ongoing challenges, adding, "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 swap between Hamas and Israel included hundreds of Palestinian prisoners freed from Israel’s Ofer military prison and other facilities in the Negev Desert, alongside the release of all 20 living Israeli hostages.

On Monday, Trump joined Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Sharm el-Sheikh for a high-level summit aimed at rallying global backing for the Gaza ceasefire strategy.

Phase two outlines the creation of a new governing body in Gaza, the deployment of a multinational peacekeeping force, and the disarmament of Hamas.

Since October 2023, Israeli military strikes have killed over 67,000 Palestinians in Gaza—predominantly women and children—rendering much of the territory unlivable.

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