WASHINGTON: The war in Gaza has “not yet” ended, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday, describing the release of the hostages held by Hamas as the first phase, while details on what happens after that still need to be worked out. He told NBC’s Meet the Press that Hamas had “basically” agreed to President Donald Trump’s proposal and the framework for releasing the hostages, while meetings were underway to coordinate the logistics of that. “They have also agreed, in principle and generalities, to enter into this idea about what’s going to happen afterwards,” he said.

Hamas leaders say they will release all hostages, living and dead but need more than three days, and President Donald Trump asked Israel to stop bombing Gaza.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said talks on a U.S. plan to end the Gaza war are focused now on hostages, with other difficult issues to be left for later, he said.