Gaza dawns another day under ceasefire. That’s the good news. However, the progress of the phases of the “peace” process, as the United States calls it, is complicated: Hamas has for now handed over the 28 that were supposed to be in its possession, because it says it cannot find more remains in a strip devastated by the attacks. Tel Aviv speaks of non-compliance with what was promised and Benjamin Netanyahu’s ultra ministers demand that the prime minister tear up the deck and return to war. Despite everything, Washington insists that the second phase of the agreement is underway. In precarious balance, but moving forward.
One of the signs that progress is being made, even if it is with obstacles, is that planning has already begun to send an international force to Gaza in order to stabilize security in the Palestinian enclave, as reported this morning by two high-ranking American advisors.
It is one of the main requirements of President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan, the formation of a US-backed stabilization force, which he has already agreed to support the force without deploying to Gaza.
The two advisers cited, in a briefing for journalists, stated that tension between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in the enclave remains high. “Right now, what we are looking for is simply a basic stabilization of the situation. The international stabilization force is beginning to be built,” said one adviser.
Countries with which the White House is in talks to contribute to the force include Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar and Azerbaijan, said the adviser, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Other states such as Indonesia or Italy have offered.
Advisers said there were up to two dozen US troops in the region to help set up the operation, playing a “coordination and oversight” role. “The goal is to use all local partners who want to help and participate,” the advisor stated.
Following the killing of seven men by Hamas in Gaza City, accused of collaborating with Israel, officials indicated that safe zones for civilians were being negotiated to prevent such incidents. The second adviser stated that no Gazan would be forced to leave the devastated Palestinian enclave.
Authorities are considering rebuilding in areas free of Hamas militants. Trump has now expressed his desire for the enclave to be rebuilt and has promises of investment from several international partners, but that this effort will take time. If all goes in order, the roadmap may outlast his own mandate in Washington.
The missing bodies
The advisers, cited by Reuters, also noted that patience is needed for the recovery of the dead Israeli hostages, as it will take longer than expected because their remains are buried under rubble and They said that there are discussions about offering rewards for information leading to the discovery of remains.
It is a call that tempers spirits, when in Tel Aviv there are ministers clamoring for a return to war. The US, however, does not consider that Hamas has breached the ceasefire agreement due to this delay. So, instead of sanctioning the group, the Trump Administration is actively working with international mediators to provide logistical support and intelligence to locate the bodies that remain missing, many of them possibly buried in the rubble of the war that devastated the Gaza Strip over the last two years, according to senior officials in statements to the press, adds EFE, which also participated in the call with journalists.
Trump began by threatening Hamas with “hell” if it did not agree to what he proposed in his agreement, but then he agreed to listen to their proposals to clarify. Now it once again accepts the “guarantees” provided by the party-militia, transmitted through external intermediaries, that it will do everything possible to locate and return those remains of those kidnapped on October 7, 2023, thus complying with its international commitments. It has gone too far, with too much international theater, to stop now. That does not win the Nobel Peace Prize.
The same employees maintain that the US Government maintains close monitoring of the process, underscoring the importance of humanitarian cooperation to guarantee the delivery of the bodies and transparency in compliance with the ceasefire agreement. According to officials, various countries such as Türkiye have offered to bring teams of experts to recover bodies, most of them specialized in disasters. The United States is even ready to offer financial rewards to find bodies that are pending recovery.
One of the officials showed “consideration” toward Hamas and said that the 72-hour deadline to locate and recover all the bodies was very difficult to meet. American advisers said countries in the region were offering help in locating the remains, including Turkey, which has offered a team of body recovery experts with experience locating remains left behind in earthquakes. “Ultimately, the 72-hour deadline stipulated in the agreement to locate and recover all the bodies would have been difficult for Hamas to meet,” assumes one of those appearing.
For his part, Trump assured in the Oval Spite that he does not believe that armed intervention by Americans is necessary for Hamas to comply with disarmament, another of the agreements reached last week. It is the most authoritative voice. However, he also stated that he would allow Netanyahu to resume military operations in Gaza if the Palestinian terrorist group does not comply. His statements emerged in a brief telephone conversation. “What is happening with Hamas will be resolved quickly,” he predicted.
The deal also requires Israel to return the bodies of 360 Palestinian militants killed in combat. The first group of 45 was delivered on Tuesday and is being identified, according to Palestinian health authorities.
Palestinian children wait to receive hot meals distributed by charities in the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza on October 13, 2025.
Improve help
On the humanitarian level, things have improved in recent hours. More aid trucks arrived on Wednesday and Israel resumed preparations to open the main Rafah crossing, after the dispute over the return of the bodies, which has delayed that step for at least a day. For this reason, Hamas also accuses Tel Aviv of not complying with what was signed.
Israel had threatened to keep Rafah closed and reduce aid supplies because of the slowness with which Hamas returned bodies, demonstrating the risks to a truce that has ended two years of devastating war in Gaza and freed all living hostages held by Hamas.
Aid trucks were entering Gaza, meanwhile, through other crossings. “Humanitarian aid continues to pass through the Kerem Shalom crossing and other crossings following Israeli security inspection,” the Israeli security official stated. Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that Wednesday’s aid deliveries would include food, medical supplies, fuel, cooking gas and equipment to repair vital infrastructure.
Underscoring the political challenges facing the truce, the far-right Israeli National Security Minister, an opponent of the ceasefire plan, called the aid delivery a “disgrace.” “Nazi terrorism only understands force, and the only way to solve the problems with it is to wipe it off the face of the earth,” he added, accusing Hamas of lies and abuses for the return of the hostages’ bodies.
Rafah is scheduled to be opened to Palestinian Gazans, both entering and leaving the enclave. However, Gazans waiting to be evacuated for medical reasons told Reuters that they have not yet received notification from the World Health Organization (WHO) to prepare for the trip.
