Israel and Hamas have signaled they are preparing for the next phase of ceasefire negotiations, following the fragile 42-day truce that began in January. Both sides expressed optimism about the progress of discussions, with mediators working to extend the current ceasefire and move towards ending the ongoing conflict.
Hamas described “positive indicators” for the commencement of the second phase of talks, although they did not provide further details. Israel, in response, confirmed its participation, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announcing that Israel had accepted the invitation of mediators, supported by the U.S., and would send a delegation to Doha on Monday to advance the negotiations.
A Hamas delegation is currently in Cairo, engaging in ceasefire talks with Egyptian mediators, alongside officials from Qatar, to proceed to the next stage of the agreement. Hamas spokesman Abdel-Latif Al-Qanoua expressed readiness to engage in these talks, emphasizing the need to meet the demands of the Palestinian people and calling for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza and the lifting of the blockade.
Hamas also confirmed its approval of a proposal to form a committee of “national and independent” figures to govern Gaza until elections can be held, following the end of the war. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had earlier suggested that such a committee, composed of professional Palestinian technocrats, would be necessary for Gaza’s administration after the conflict ends.
Meanwhile, violence continued, with an Israeli airstrike killing two Palestinians in Rafah, southern Gaza, on Saturday. The Israeli military reported that the strike targeted a drone and several individuals involved in a failed smuggling attempt. This followed a previous airstrike on Friday, which targeted suspected militants in northern Gaza.
The ceasefire agreement, which began in January, includes provisions for the release of the remaining 59 hostages held by Hamas in the next phase. Israel has demanded the hostages be freed before negotiations on a broader peace agreement can proceed.
Since the truce began on January 19, fighting has ceased, and Hamas has released 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais in exchange for about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, Israel continues to impose a blockade on Gaza, demanding the release of all remaining hostages.
The ongoing conflict has claimed over 48,000 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza health authorities, and has displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza. Israel’s actions have sparked widespread accusations of genocide and war crimes, which Israel denies.
The escalation of violence began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants raided southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
