Gaza ceasefire in jeopardy as Trump casts doubt on phase two and three

US President Donald Trump has cast doubt on whether the ceasefire deal in Gaza will reach the second stage, while his Middle East envoy has ruled out reaching stage three in its current conception. 

During a press conference on Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump told reporters: “I can't tell you whether or not the ceasefire will hold. 

“We've done, I think, a very masterful job. We weren't helped very much by the Biden administration. I can tell you that. But we've gotten quite a few hostages out.”

He said that more Israeli captives would be released, but “we’re dealing with very complex people and we are going to see whether or not it holds”. 

The Israeli premier described the deal as a “temporary ceasefire” during the conference, and said Israel could not leave Hamas to “continue the battle to destroy Israel”. 

Read more: Gaza ceasefire in jeopardy as Trump casts doubt on phase two and three