Netanyahu and Kushner meet as Gaza ceasefire's first phase winds down | Hindustan Times

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**Revised Title:** Netanyahu and Kushner Meet Amidst Gaza Ceasefire's Uncertain Future **Revised Article:** DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner met on Monday to discuss the next stages of the fragile Gaza ceasefire, which is nearing its end. The meeting comes as Israel returned the remains of 15 Palestinians, bringing the total number of remains received to 315. Despite the progress, the fate of four Israeli hostages remains unknown, with Palestinian militants still holding onto their remains. The first phase of the ceasefire, which began on October 10, focused on halting the fighting, releasing all hostages, and boosting humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, details of the second phase, which includes the implementation of a governing body for Gaza and the deployment of an international stabilization force, have yet to be worked out. The Gaza Health Ministry has recorded 69,176 Palestinian deaths, with more than half of them being women and children. The ministry's count does not distinguish between militants and civilians, and it maintains detailed records that are viewed as generally reliable by independent experts. Netanyahu and Kushner discussed the progress and future of the ceasefire, with the latter also leading negotiations to secure safe passage for 150-200 trapped Hamas militants in exchange for surrendering their weapons. However, it is unclear where these negotiations are headed. In a separate development, Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank village of Umm al-Khair are bracing for the arrival of Israeli military bulldozers, which have been ordered to demolish 14 structures, including the community center and family homes. Residents say it is impossible to secure permits to build in the West Bank, leaving them little choice but to rebuild their homes following demolitions. The village, which was founded by traditionally nomadic people in the 1950s, has been under Israeli security control since the 1970s. Settler attacks have been ongoing since the 1980s, and an internationally sanctioned Israeli settler shot and killed a community leader earlier this year. The Gaza ceasefire's uncertain future and the ongoing struggles of Palestinians in the West Bank village of Umm al-Khair serve as a reminder of the complex and ongoing conflict in the region.