Netanyahu called the second stage of the ceasefire in Gaza more of a formality
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has questioned the practical significance of the announced transition to the second phase of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. According to NBC News, citing the Associated Press and Reuters, the Israeli leader said that the key decisions announced as part of the new phase remain declarative at this stage.
According to Netanyahu, the creation of the announced Palestinian steering committee, which is to take over the administration of Gaza after the war, is more of a political gesture than evidence of real progress. He expressed this position during a meeting with relatives of the last Israeli hostage, whose remains are still in Gaza.
The Israeli prime minister stressed that the return of the hostages remains the government's top priority, and that the transition to a new phase of the truce does not mean that more complex issues — such as security, the disarmament of Hamas and the future administration of the enclave — will be automatically resolved.
At the same time, the announcement of the second phase was met with a restrained reaction among Palestinians in Gaza. Residents of the enclave who spoke to Associated Press journalists noted that despite statements about progress, fighting and humanitarian difficulties have not ceased on the ground. According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, more than 450 people have been killed since October, following the announcement of the ceasefire.
The second phase of the truce provides for the creation of a temporary apolitical governing body for Gaza, the possible deployment of international forces, the opening of the Rafah border crossing, and the start of large-scale reconstruction. However, the specific timing and mechanisms for implementing these points remain unclear.
The UN estimates that rebuilding Gaza's destroyed infrastructure could cost more than $50 billion and take years. So far, international donors have not announced sufficient financial commitments.
Gaza, Israel, Netanyahu, truce, Gaza Strip, Hamas, Middle East, ceasefire, Associated Press, Reuters
