Summary

  1. 'No one is paying attention': Trucks carrying aid stranded at Rafah crossing, driver sayspublished at 10:44 Greenwich Mean Time

    Headshot of Hussein, who has stubbly grey and black facial hair, looking into the camera. He wears a cream hoodie and grey jacket. You can see a few trucks piled high and covered in tarp.Image source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Ahmed Hussain says he's been waiting at the Rafah crossing for a long time

    Jordanian truck driver Ahmed Hussein tells Reuters he's been "stranded" at the Rafah crossing in Egypt for nearly a month.

    "No one is paying attention to us," he says.

    Ahmed adds that only a "very small number" of trucks enter Gaza through the key aid route and that "more than half are sent back".

    Some trucks transporting limited amounts of humanitarian aid through the Rafah crossing have been seen on videos today, although it's unclear what exactly they had been carrying.

    Hamas says Israel has been violating the ceasefire deal, including by stopping aid "in all its agreed-upon forms" entering the country, such as caravans and tents. Israel strongly denies the claim.

    A road stretching into the distance, lined on both sides by trucks with goods loaded on them as far as the eye can seeImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    The UN says that there's been a significant increase of aid deliveries into Gaza since the ceasefire came into effect on 19 January

  2. Jordan working with Egypt on plan for Gaza reconstruction, PM sayspublished at 10:22 Greenwich Mean Time

    Tom Perriello and Head of the Saudi Arabian delegation Ali bin Hassan Jafar sat behind a desk with hands raised.Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Jafar Hassan, right, says a "just solution" would allow for an independent Palestinian state

    We've been hearing from Jordan's Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, who says that Palestinians will not be displaced from Gaza.

    He says that King Abdullah's meeting with Trump yesterday solidified Jordan's stance on rebuilding Gaza, without Palestinians leaving the region.

    Jordan is working with Egypt and Palestine to create a plan for it's reconstruction, he adds.

    Earlier, we reported Egypt has said it will put forward a "comprehensive vision" for Gaza.

  3. 'People in Gaza are nervous but they know Trump's plan is just words'published at 09:54 Greenwich Mean Time

    Gabriela Pomeroy
    Live reporter

    Imad Qudaih in GazaImage source, Imad Qudaih
    Image caption,

    Imad lived in a tent for eight months in Khan Younis after his house was destroyed

    We've been talking to people on the ground in Gaza today, including Imad Qudaih, 21, who says "people are nervous".

    The student and freelance journalist adds that people in Gaza "are afraid of the collapse of the ceasefire".

    With three days to go until the possible resumption of war in Gaza, the atmosphere on the streets is "dominated by tension and fear", Imad says.

    There is anger about Trump's proposal for Gazans to leave the strip, and fear of displacement, but he says the plan "is not going to be achievable. It is just words".

    During the war, Imad's three-storey home was reduced to rubble.

    He says he would like to study abroad but wants to come back to live in Gaza afterwards: "I would love to complete my life here in Gaza - it is my home."

  4. How many hostages have been freed so far?published at 09:18 Greenwich Mean Time

    Karina Ariev leaving a car in a grey tracksuit with Israeli flags in the backgroundImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Israeli hostage Karina Ariev on 25 January, who was one of the first to be released in phase one of the ceasefire

    Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demands the continued release of Israeli hostages, after Hamas announced a postponement of the handover.

    The first phase of the ceasefire deal expects to see Hamas release a total of 33 hostages at regular intervals. There are 17 more Israeli hostages to be released in the first phase, although Israel says eight of those are dead.

    Since the ceasefire began on 19 January, 16 Israeli hostages have been freed. Hamas has also handed over five Thai hostages.

    On Tuesday, the Israeli military confirmed the death of 85-year-old Shlomo Mansour - who was abducted from his home on 7 October 2023.

    Three living hostages were due to be freed on Saturday - until Hamas said it was suspending the release. Negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire began last week.

  5. Netanyahu keeping options open as ceasefire under threatpublished at 08:58 Greenwich Mean Time

    Lyse Doucet
    Chief international correspondent

    President Trump's call for all hostages to be freed by Saturday is now threatening a ceasefire which was fragile from the start.

    Members of Israel’s government have seized his warning as an opportunity to end a deal they never liked. On the morning of 19 January, when the first phase of this truce came into force, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar immediately called it a “temporary ceasefire".

    His comments underlined how it wasn’t seen as a path to end the war, but a means to bring Israeli hostages home, then resume the fight.

    So far, Prime Minister Netanyahu seems to be trying to keep his options open. Members of his security cabinet emerged from their four-hour meeting yesterday repeating President Trump’s ultimatum.

    But the Israeli leader only said “our hostages” had to be freed, not “all”.

    Egyptian and Qatari mediators, along with other players, are certain to do what they can to prevent a collapse.

    President Trump, who vowed to be the president who stops war, not start them, may have more to say as the consequences of his comments become clearer.

    There will also be pressure on Hamas which first raised questions about the ceasefire by accusing Israel of violating its terms. The deal requires it to release the names of the next three hostages by Friday.

    Then it will be Israel’s move.

  6. Hostage's family frightened by possibility of ceasefire deal falling throughpublished at 08:30 Greenwich Mean Time

    Dana Shem Tov holding a sign with the face of Omer Shem Tov, wearing a hoodie which says 'FREE OUR HOSTAGES'Image source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Dana Shem Tov, sister of Omer Shem Tov, at a protest outside the Israeli Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv in March 2024, calling for the hostages' release

    The uncle of Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov, who was on the list of 33 hostages who should be released during the first phase of the new ceasefire, says the possibility of the deal falling through is "frightening".

    Omer, 22, was abducted from the Nova music festival on 7 October. His uncle, David Zalimanovich, says his concern grew after seeing the physical condition of those freed in the latest hostage release.

    David says the family has received various signs since 7 October that Omer is still alive, but adds they "can't assure that he's in a good condition".

    He says his family is "really scared that any excuse" will make the deal fall through.

  7. US is moving the goalposts in ceasefire, think tank sayspublished at 08:07 Greenwich Mean Time

    US President Donald Trump sitting on a chair in a suit with wooden desk behind himImage source, Getty Images

    President Trump's involvement in the Gaza ceasefire shows the US is "moving the goalposts", a think tank says. It comes after Trump threatened "all hell will break out" if Hamas fails to release "all" the hostages on Saturday,as opposed to the three Israeli hostages expected to be released.

    It remains unclear whether Netanyahu really intends to collapse the ceasefire deal if all of the remaining hostages are not released by the Saturday deadline. In yesterday's statement Netanyahu demanded the return of "our hostages", not "all" hostages - as Trump had said.

    Jane Kinninmont from the European Leadership Network tells BBC Radio 5 Live that the ceasefire deal was "always going to be difficult to implement given it involves two enemies who want to destroy one another".

    She adds that Hamas and Israel "also need something from each other", referring to the release of hostages, entering of aid and freeing of Palestinian prisoners.

    "From Hamas's point of view, all along hostages have been bargaining chips. So when they see their aims being thwarted, then there's more temptation for them to try to do more with their bargaining chips," she says.

  8. Trump insists US will take Gaza in meeting with Jordan's King Abdullahpublished at 07:53 Greenwich Mean Time

    Tom Bateman
    US State Department correspondent

    Media caption,

    Watch: Trump doubles down on Gaza takeover plan in meeting with Jordan's King

    In their meeting yesterday, Donald Trump doubled down on his plan to empty Gaza of Palestinians, with King Abdullah of Jordan sat to his right, at times looking awkward and avoiding any direct criticism of the president.

    Trump repeated his idea that the US would take control of Gaza and develop it as Mediterranean resort - but he contradicted a comment he made only on Sunday that the US would buy the territory, now saying there was nothing to buy as it’s a war torn area.

    Having called for Egypt and Jordan to take displaced Palestinians, Trump said there would be what he called great progress in his proposal to take over Gaza.

    King Abdullah, pressed by reporters on the plan to force out Palestinians to Jordan, said only that its ally Egypt was developing its own proposal for the future of Gaza.

    His remarks came shortly before Cairo announced it was developing what it called a comprehensive plan to rebuild Gaza ensuring Palestinians remain on their land.

    The proposal, which King Abdullah made reference to while sat next to Trump, appears to be an attempt to present an alternative to the US president's ideas.

    Each day brings new details from Trump, sometimes revealing another element of his thinking that is sending shockwaves through the region and upending years of established US policy, other times contradicting his own remarks from the day before.

  9. Both sides must fully abide by their ceasefire commitments, UN chief sayspublished at 07:38 Greenwich Mean Time

    Antonio Guterres in a blue suit and red tie behind a white podium with microphones.Image source, EPA

    UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has urged Israel and Hamas to ensure the ceasefire deal continues to hold.

    "I [Antonio Guterres] appeal to Hamas to proceed with the planned liberation of hostages next Saturday, and both sides must fully abide by their commitments in the ceasefire agreement and resume serious negotiations in Doha for the second phase."

    Guterres' statement was read out by UN spokesman Rolando Gomez at a news briefing in Geneva on Tuesday.

    "We must avoid at all costs the resumption of hostilities in Gaza," Gomez read, adding that it results in "immense tragedy".

    Gomez also said that the UN's priority was on getting aid into Gaza, which continues to be an "enormous need".

  10. A confusing picture, reflecting precarious nature of ceasefirepublished at 07:24 Greenwich Mean Time

    Wyre Davies
    Reporting from Jerusalem

    Israeli minister, Miri Regev, made it clear her government supported President Trump's statement that everyone should be released.

    Her comments came after Benjamin Netanyahu said he welcomed Trump's demand for the release of the hostages.

    "The decision passed unanimously by the cabinet," said Netanyahu, "is that if Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon - the ceasefire will be terminated, and the IDF will return to intense fighting until Hamas is finally defeated."

    But the prime minister hasn’t been clear whether he’s insisting that all 76 hostages should be freed by the deadline - or whether he's referring to around three named hostages, as outlined in the ceasefire agreement.

    It's a confusing picture, reflecting the precarious and delicate nature of the ceasefire.

    Hamas had initially said it was postponing this weekend’s scheduled release of hostages, accusing Israel of violating the agreement.

    Hamas now says it remains committed to the ceasefire, which also has overwhelming support in Israel.

    If, by the end of this week, Hamas does release the names of the three hostages it intends to release, Netanyahu will face intense pressure not to resume the fighting.

  11. Egypt says it'll put forward a 'vision' for Gazapublished at 07:12 Greenwich Mean Time

    As we've reported, Egypt has said it plans to present a "comprehensive vision" for the reconstruction of Gaza.

    Egypt voiced its "aspiration" to co-operate with US President Donald Trump's administration "to achieve comprehensive and just peace in the region, by reaching a just settlement of the Palestinian issue that takes into account the rights of the peoples of the region".

    In a statement shared on social media by the foreign ministry's spokesman,, external Egypt says its plans will put forward a "comprehensive vision" for the survival of Palestinians that is "consistent with the legitimate and legal rights".

    The statement went on to say that any vision, or plan, for what happens next in the region should "avoid jeopardising the gains of peace".

    It comes after King Abdullah of Jordan said in a meeting with Trump yesterday that Egypt would be putting forward a plan on working with the US.

  12. Hamas is ready to hand over hostages if situation is rectified, official sayspublished at 06:59 Greenwich Mean Time

    Basem Naim in a blue suit looking at the camera.Image source, Reuters

    Hamas says it "remains committed to the ceasefire agreement" but emphasises that Israel is "responsible for any complications or delays".

    Senior Hamas official Basem Naim told the BBC that the door was open for US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators to intervene and get the ceasefire deal back on track.

    "We don't wish that this deal will fall apart," he said. "We are doing the maximum to avoid any obstacles, any challenges, and therefore we are ready to hand over prisoners next Saturday if the situation is rectified through the mediators."

    Hamas has also reiterated its rejection of US President Donald Trump's plan to "take over" Gaza, labelling the president's comments as "racist" and saying the plan won't succeed.

    "The Hamas movement remains committed to the ceasefire agreement as long as the occupation abides by it," the group adds, noting that the deal was brokered by mediators and witnessed by the international community.

  13. What did Netanyahu say in his hostage release demand?published at 06:46 Greenwich Mean Time

    Benjamin Netanyahu speaking at a desk in front of a wooden bookshelf and the Israeli flagImage source, Israel Government Press Office

    Following a four-hour meeting of Israel's security cabinet on Tuesday, Netanyahu said in a video statement that he "welcomed President Trump's demand" for Hamas to release Israeli hostages.

    Netanyahu said: "In light of Hamas's announcement regarding its decision to violate the agreement and not release our hostages, last night I instructed the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] to amass forces inside - and surrounding - the Gaza Strip.

    "This action is being carried out at this hour and will be completed very soon," the statement added.

    He then issued an ultimatum that he said had his security cabinet's unanimous approval.

    "If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon, the ceasefire will end and the IDF will resume intense fighting until the final defeat of Hamas."

    • For context: Trump proposed that Israel cancel the ceasefire deal altogether unless “all” the hostages were returned by Saturday. It remains unclear whether Netanyahu really intends to collapse the ceasefire deal if all the remaining hostages are not released by the Saturday deadline.
  14. As concern grows, Netanyahu's terms remain unclearpublished at 06:35 Greenwich Mean Time

    Yolande Knell
    Middle East correspondent. in Jerusalem

    After a long meeting of the security cabinet, President Trump’s proposal - that Israel cancel the ceasefire deal altogether unless “all” the hostages were returned by Saturday - was taken up by key Israeli ministers.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu then stated in a video message: “If Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon, the ceasefire will end.”

    It remains unclear if the prime minister really intends to collapse the ceasefire deal if "all" the remaining hostages are not released by that deadline. Hamas has issued a statement renewing its commitment to the ceasefire and accusing Israel of jeopardising it.

    It’s understood that Arab countries are exerting pressure on the armed group to try to get the deal back on track.

    Egypt has said it plans to present a “comprehensive vision” for the reconstruction of Gaza that does not involve displacing the population – unlike the proposal put forward by President Trump.

  15. Netanyahu issues hostage release demandpublished at 06:31 Greenwich Mean Time

    Imogen James
    Live reporter

    Israel says it will resume fighting and end the Gaza ceasefire deal if Hamas does not release Israeli hostages by Saturday.

    Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu didn't specify if he meant all of the hostages, or the three originally due to be freed.

    Netanyahu has ordered his forces to gather in and around Gaza, but Hamas continues to say Israel is "responsible for any complications or delays".

    Hamas said it was delaying the next scheduled release of the hostages this weekend, blaming Israel for violating the terms of the fragile agreement - though it says it is still committed to the ceasefire deal.

    It is understood that Arab countries are pressuring Hamas to get the deal back on track.

    If Israeli hostages aren't released by Saturday, US President Donald Trump warned that "all hell is going to break out" on Gaza - a plan that Netanyahu said on Tuesday he welcomes.

    For many Palestinians, who have just returned home following the ceasefire deal, there is a growing concern and uncertainty.

    Stick with us as we bring you the latest on the developing situation.