• US mediator Jared Kushner meets Israeli PM Netanyahu to discuss the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire.
• About 200 Hamas fighters remain trapped in tunnels, complicating negotiations.
• Both sides accuse each other of violating the ceasefire agreement.

On November 10, US mediator Jared Kushner met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem to discuss the fragile US-backed ceasefire in Gaza, as Washington seeks to stabilize and advance the agreement after one month of relative calm following a two-year conflict. The talks were primarily focused on the second, more complex phase of the truce, which involves sensitive issues such as the disarmament of Hamas, the establishment of an international stabilization force, and a transitional governing body in Gaza devoid of Hamas influence, according to LATimes and Reuters.

A significant point of contention is the situation of approximately 200 Hamas fighters trapped in tunnels under Rafah, where Israel has resisted granting them safe passage to areas controlled by Hamas. The fighters' status threatens the execution of further steps in the ceasefire plan, with Kushner emphasizing that resolving this standoff is critical for moving forward. Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian confirmed that Kushner and Netanyahu discussed measures to ensure that Hamas would not play a role in Gaza’s future governance, as the military continues operations against Hamas and remains firm on disarming the group, according to Al Jazeera and Le Monde.

Additionally, the ceasefire is marred by mutual accusations of violations, with Israel claiming that Hamas has obstructed humanitarian aid deliveries and Hamas countering that Israeli airstrikes have continued to inflict casualties. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that since the ceasefire took effect on October 10, at least 242 Palestinians have been killed, highlighting the precarious nature of the agreement. Netanyahu reinforced Israel’s commitment to enforcement, stating, "We are determined to enforce with an iron fist the ceasefire agreements..." while addressing the Israeli parliament, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.