Israel and Hamas prepare for new round of ceasefire talks
Illustrative Photo: Israeli Soldier (Getty Images)
Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas have indicated that they are preparing for the next stage of negotiations on extending the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Statements from both sides came amid efforts by mediators to prolong the 42-day truce that began in January, according to Reuters.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the country is preparing for negotiations.
"Israel has accepted the invitation of the mediators backed by the U.S., and will send a delegation to Doha on Monday in an effort to advance the negotiations," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said.
A Hamas delegation is participating in ceasefire negotiations in Cairo with Egyptian mediators. The Egyptian side is facilitating the negotiation process alongside officials from Qatar.
They aim to move to the next stage of agreements, which could pave the way for ending the war between Israel and Hamas.
Hamas spokesperson Abdel-Latif Al-Qanoua stated that their organization "affirms our readiness to engage in the second-phase negotiations in a way that meets the demands of our people." He also called for "intensified efforts to aid the Gaza Strip and lift the blockade" for the enclave's residents.
Issues on Gaza’s future
Later, Hamas confirmed its approval of forming a committee that, according to Abdel-Latif Al-Qanoua, is a "national and independent" entity for governing Gaza until elections are held.
Earlier, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi stated that Cairo had been working with the Palestinians to establish an administrative committee of independent Palestinian technocrats. This committee would be entrusted with governing the Gaza Strip after the end of the war between Israel and Hamas.
El-Sisi's statement came during an Arab summit, where an alternative reconstruction plan for Gaza was approved, countering US President Donald Trump's vision of a Middle Eastern Riviera.
Israel-Hamas сeasefire
The ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip took effect on January 19. The deal includes the release of the remaining 59 hostages held by Hamas during the second phase, during which final plans for ending the war will be negotiated.
Last week, the first phase of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip was completed.
Recently, Israel imposed a complete blockade on all goods entering the Gaza Strip, demanding that Hamas release the remaining hostages before initiating negotiations for ending the war in Gaza.
After the fighting ceased in January, Hamas released 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais. Israel, in return, freed about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The Israeli government believes that less than half of the remaining 59 hostages are still alive.
In early March, Israel announced approval of the US plan to extend the ceasefire with Hamas. The proposal, put forward by the US special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witcoff, was endorsed. However, Jerusalem warned that if Hamas rejected this plan, the war could resume.
On March 2, it became known that Israel halted humanitarian aid shipments to Gaza after Hamas refused the Witkoff plan.
