US President Donald Trump has unilaterally declared that phase two of the Gaza ceasefire has begun, as the remains of four deceased hostages are expected to be returned to Israel in the coming hours.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was "on its way to the meeting point in the southern Gaza Strip, where several coffins of deceased hostages" would be "transferred into their custody".

Hamas had earlier informed mediators it would begin transferring the bodies at 10pm, local time, on Tuesday (6am AEDT on Wednesday), an official involved in the operation told Reuters.

In a post on his social media platform, Mr Trump said the 20 hostages released on Monday were "feeling as good as can be expected".

"A big burden has been lifted, but the

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