Israel says second phase of ceasefire depends on return of soldiers’ bodies

Israeli authorities on Thursday said that the second phase of the ceasefire agreement "will not begin until the bodies of all the kidnapped soldiers are recovered", Israeli Army Radio reported. 

Hamas’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, on Wednesday released a statement saying it requires "significant efforts and special equipment" to retrieve the remaining bodies. 

“The resistance has adhered to what was agreed upon and has handed over all the living prisoners it has and the bodies it can access,” it said.

“As for the remaining bodies, they require significant efforts and special equipment to search for and retrieve them, and we are making great efforts to close this file.”

US President Donald Trump said he would consider allowing Israel to resume fighting in Gaza if Hamas fails to uphold its end of the ceasefire deal, CNN reported on Wednesday.