“It’s going along well,” he told reporters. “They had a problem today, I understand, with a bomb that went off and hurt some people pretty badly. Probably killed some people… it just happened.”

The Israel Defence Forces confirmed that five soldiers were wounded in attacks in Rafah on Wednesday. The military also reported striking what it described as a Hamas operative in Khan Younis the same day.

Trump insisted that international support for the peace process remained strong, saying 59 countries back the effort. “We have peace in the Middle East, people don’t realise it,” he claimed. “Phase two is moving along. It’s going to happen pretty soon.”

Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of the plan in October, which included a ceasefire, the exchange of hostages and prisoners, both alive and dead, and the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza. That initial phase has been marred by mutual accusations of violations.

The later stages of the agreement are expected to address the long-term governance of Gaza and plans for reconstruction after months of devastating conflict.