US envoy, Israeli PM discuss phase two of Gaza truce, trapped fighters

US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, met on Monday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the next stages of the fragile Gaza ceasefire, while Israel returned the remains of another 15 Palestinians.

- DEIR AL BALAH

The remains of four hostages are still in Gaza after Hamas released the remains of another on Sunday.

Israel's government spokesperson said Netanyahu and Kushner had discussed disarming Hamas, demilitarising Gaza and ensuring the group would never again have a governing role in the enclave — all issues to be resolved in the next phase of truce talks.

An official briefed on the details of Monday's meeting said it had focused on both the issue of the trapped fighters and an international stabilisation force envisaged for Gaza under Trump's plan.

There are around 200 fighters in the tunnels under Rafah in the Gaza zone still controlled by Israel's military, with Hamas demanding they be allowed to depart - something Israel has so far resisted.

The first stage of the ceasefire agreement that took effect on Oct. 10 is nearing its end. The next stage calls for the implementation of a governing body for Gaza and the deployment of an international stabilisation force. It is not clear where either stands.