President Donald Trump has issued a warning to Hamas, stating that the group must disarm or face forceful disarmament. This announcement comes as the remains of four deceased hostages were returned to Israel. Trump claimed he communicated this directive directly to Hamas, which he said agreed to disarm as outlined in his 20-point peace proposal. "If they don't disarm, we will disarm them, and it will happen quickly and perhaps violently," Trump stated during a meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei. He added, "I spoke to Hamas, and I said, 'You're going to disarm, right?' 'Yes, sir, we're going to disarm.' That's what they told me," later clarifying that the message was relayed through intermediaries. However, Hamas has not publicly confirmed any commitment to disarmament.

Earlier in the day, Trump announced on his social media platform that phase two of the Gaza ceasefire had commenced. He noted that the 20 Israeli hostages released on Monday were "feeling as good as can be expected" but emphasized that the situation was not resolved. "A big burden has been lifted, but the job is not done. The dead have not been returned, as promised!" he said, declaring, "Phase two begins right now!"

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that four coffins containing the remains of hostages crossed into Israel after being transferred by Hamas to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) at a designated meeting point in northern Gaza. The IDF stated that the remains would be taken to Israel's National Institute for Forensic Medicine for identification.

Israeli officials announced that the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt would remain closed at least until Wednesday. They also indicated that the flow of aid into Gaza would be reduced to pressure Hamas to return the remaining bodies of hostages. On Monday, in addition to the release of 20 live hostages, only four deceased hostages' bodies were handed over. In exchange, Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees and prisoners.

The abduction of Noa and Avinatan from a music festival on October 7 has become a poignant symbol of the trauma experienced by many Israelis. Now reunited, they represent a closure to a painful two-year ordeal. The Israeli military confirmed that the four bodies returned had been identified, including that of a Nepalese student. In total, eight deceased hostages' remains have been released, leaving 20 still unaccounted for in Gaza. Families of the hostages expressed concern that their loved ones' remains might be lost in the rubble of Gaza. An international task force has been established to assist in locating bodies that Hamas may not be able to find.

Families of the hostages have accused Hamas of failing to uphold the agreement, which required the group to return all remaining hostages, both dead and alive, within 72 hours of the ceasefire that began at midday on Monday. Hamas has cited difficulties in locating the bodies due to the destruction in Gaza, a challenge that Trump acknowledged when negotiating the ceasefire.

Despite the ceasefire holding since the exchange, violence has continued. The Israeli military reported the deaths of six Palestinians, including five killed by drone fire while checking homes in a suburb east of Gaza City. An airstrike near Khan Younis resulted in one death and another injury, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The IDF stated that it opened fire to eliminate a perceived threat.