Netanyahu says Israel and Hamas will soon enter second phase of ceasefire World Dec 7, 2025 3:54 PM EST

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel and Hamas are “very shortly expected to move into the second phase of the ceasefire,” after Hamas returns the remains of the last hostage held in Gaza.

Netanyahu spoke during a news conference with visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and stressed that the second phase, which addresses the disarming of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, could begin as soon as the end of the month.

READ MORE: Qatari prime minister says Gaza ceasefire is at a critical moment as first phase winds down

Hamas has yet to hand over the remains of Ran Gvili, a 24-year-old police officer who wa

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