Israel continued with home demolitions in Gaza on Thursday, with reports that the Israeli army has destroyed over 1,500 buildings since the ceasefire came into effect.
Satellite images show various neighbourhoods under Israeli military control completely levelled, in less than a month.
The number of buildings levelled is believed to be much higher than the reported 1,500, while Palestinians say the demolitions constitutes a major violation of the truce agreement.
Various experts, including Adil Haque, a Rutgers University law professor, said Israel could be violating the laws of war, which prohibit the destruction of civilian buildings and property by an occupying power.
Israel has claimed, without providing evidence, that the demolitions comply with the terms of the truce, adding that the buildings levelled are allegedly "terror infrastructure".
Other experts have raised concerns that the continued Israeli violations could eventually thwart peace efforts, as Israel continues to stall its full withdrawal from the enclave.
'Plan B' speculation
Israeli media have reported that Tel Aviv and Washington are both working on backup plans to the truce agreement, in case there is a breakdown.
US envoy Jared Kushner told an Israeli official in recent days that he is working on a "plan B", Israel Hayom reported.
The report added that Kushner’s remarks come amid "significant complexities facing the current plan, particularly regarding the disarmament of Hamas, and the question of which country would be willing to risk soldiers in a direct military confrontation with Hamas fighters".
Israeli chief of staff Eyal Zamir also told the Israeli security cabinet that the military is preparing a contingency plan in case US efforts fail, and that the plan will soon be presented to the cabinet ministers.
Israeli media reports have further stated that US and Israeli officials involved in Gaza talks understand that the chances of disarming Hamas through diplomatic means are slim.
The Israeli government has in recent days ramped up the pressure on Hamas to return the remains of the last four captives held in the Strip, despite Palestinians decrying the lack of heavy machinery and equipment to help them search for and retrieve bodies.
On Wednesday evening, unnamed Israeli officials said that Hamas possesses information on the four captives, the Kan news agency reported.
The Israeli officials stressed that the remains of captives should be recovered, and that no concessions should be made until the last captive is returned.
Discussions regarding the second phase of the truce are also underway, as mediators demand clarification on the international force planned to be deployed in the Strip.
Turkey and Egypt on Wednesday emphasised the importance of a clear mandate on the international stabilisation force in Gaza, adding that there is a strong need to secure the ceasefire in the enclave.
The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed optimism on Wednesday that the Security Council would pass a resolution on Gaza, supporting the deployment of an international security force.
"I think we are making good progress on the drafting of the resolution, and we hope to take action very soon," he said.
He raised concerns however, that Israeli violence and raids in the occupied West Bank could also undermine ceasefire efforts in Gaza.
The latest developments come as Israeli media has reported that Tel Aviv is considering a proposal that would see Hamas fighters deported to Turkey
Around 150 fighters would be transferred to Turkey, before being relocated to other countries, Israel’s Channel 13 said, noting that discussions are still underway and it would need coordination between the US and Turkey.