President Trump said Monday that the second phase of his 20-point plan for peace in Gaza is already underway, as the first phase of military pull-backs and the release of hostages nears its end.

Speaking with reporters in Egypt, where Mr. Trump arrived for a signing ceremony to mark phase one of the ceasefire agreement, he said the next steps were already in motion.

“It started,” Mr. Trump said of the second phase. “I mean, it started as far as we’re concerned. You know, the phases are a little bit mixed in with each other. You look at Gaza, it needs a lot of Gaza.”

The first phase of Mr. Trump’s plan is already wrapping up with an immediate cessation of hostilities and military operations suspended. Hamas has released the 20 living hostages it was holding in Gaza, and Israel released 250 Palestinian prisoners who had been sentenced to life in prison and another 1,700 individuals who had been arrested since the war began in 2023.

Under the first phase, Hamas is also required to release the bodies of all deceased hostages. So far, it has released four of the 28 bodies, though Mr. Trump said they are working to find the remaining 24 bodies.

“They’re looking for bodies. They know the area and there are search parties out, and they’re doing it in conjunction with Israel,” Mr. Trump said.

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The second phase of Mr. Trump’s 20-point plan was expected to begin after the hostages were released. It includes the destruction of Hamas’s offensive weaponry, including tunnels and military infrastructure.

Gaza will be “a de-radicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors,” according to Mr. Trump’s plan. It also offers amnesty to Hamas members who commit to living peacefully and will provide safe passage for those who choose not to return to Gaza.

Additionally, an international peacekeeping force that would include the U.S., Arab and European personnel would be deployed to oversee the security and training of a Palestinian peace force with the goal of creating long-term stability and peace.

• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.