ByDANYA SAPERSTEIN
Updated:

Hamas was a "big factor in the return of hostages from Gaza," US President Donald Trump said during a cabinet meeting on Thursday.

Trump also said that it "looked like Hamas would disarm."

Phase II of the US-backed plan to end the Israel-Hamas War was underway, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff added at the meeting, noting that the US has "stood up, for the first time, a technocratic, all-Arab government."

"We got the terrorists out of there, and they're going to demilitarize," Witkoff continued, echoing Trump's earlier sentiment. "They will, because they have no choice."

Plumes of smoke rise after the IDF carried out house demolitions in the northern Gaza Strip in January. It is believed that between 80,000 and 200,000 tons of munitions were fired or dropped on Gaza over two years of war.
Plumes of smoke rise after the IDF carried out house demolitions in the northern Gaza Strip in January. It is believed that between 80,000 and 200,000 tons of munitions were fired or dropped on Gaza over two years of war. (credit: BASHAR TALEB/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES)

IDF strikes Hamas terrorist planning attack against troops

Earlier in the day, the IDF conducted a precise strike against a Hamas terrorist planning an "imminent terror attack" on soldiers operating in the southern Gaza Strip, the military said in a statement.

"The terrorist posed a threat to the troops and was therefore targeted in a precise strike, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement," the IDF said.

According to the statement, the IDF took steps to mitigate civilian harm ahead of the strike, including the use of precise munitions, aerial surveillance, and additional intelligence. 

This is a developing story.