Israeli strikes in central Gaza killed six people, including three women, a day after the United States said a fragile ceasefire would move into its second phase.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the announcement of the second phase of the ceasefire as largely symbolic, questioning how its more demanding elements would be implemented.
Speaking to the parents of the last Israeli hostage whose remains are still in Gaza, Netanyahu said that the Palestinian governing board, announced as part of the second phase, was merely a "declarative move," not a sign of progress as described by US envoy Steve Witkoff.
The parents of Israeli police officer Ran Gwilyi had previously appealed to Netanyahu not to move forward with the ceasefire until their son's remains were returned, the Forum of Families of Hostages and Missing Persons in Israel said.
Netanyahu told the parents that their son's return remains a top priority.
The announcement of the second phase of the ceasefire represents a significant step forward, but it has left many questions unanswered.
Among them are the composition of the proposed, apolitical steering committee of Palestinian experts and the international "Peace Committee".
According to an Israeli official, who spoke anonymously, the composition of the committee has been agreed upon with Israel.
Open issues include the timing of the deployment of international forces, the reopening of the southern Rafah border crossing, as well as specific details about the disarmament of Hamas and the reconstruction of Gaza.
In an interview with West Bank-based Radio Basma, Ali Shat, an engineer and former Palestinian Authority official who is set to lead the committee, said he expects reconstruction and recovery to take about three years, starting with immediate needs like housing.
"If I bring bulldozers, push the rubble into the sea and create new islands, new land – that's a victory for Gaza and we're getting rid of the rubble," said Shat, originally from Gaza.
Palestinians in Gaza who spoke to the AP questioned what moving to the second phase would actually change on the ground, pointing to the ongoing bloodshed and difficulties in providing basic necessities.
More than 450 people have been killed since Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement in October, the Gaza Health Ministry said today.
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