NEGOTIATIONS aimed at extending the Gaza ceasefire have officially commenced, according to Egypt, with Israel and Hamas engaging in discussions to define the next phase of the fragile truce.
These talks, which started on Thursday, come just days before the expiration of the first phase of the ceasefire on Saturday.
The Associated Press (AP) reported today that Israeli, Qatari, and U.S. officials began “intensive discussions” about the ceasefire's second phase in Cairo, as confirmed by Egypt’s state information service. The aim of this next stage is to bring about an end to the ongoing conflict and focus on resolving humanitarian issues in the Gaza Strip.
“The mediators are also exploring ways to improve the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, with the goal of alleviating the suffering of the population and promoting stability in the region,” the statement from Egypt read.
The second phase of the ceasefire negotiations will focus on crucial issues, including the return of all remaining hostages held by Hamas, with Israeli officials estimating 59 hostages still in captivity, 24 of whom are believed to be alive. The discussions will also address the withdrawal of all Israeli military personnel from Gaza. A third phase of talks is expected to cover the return of deceased hostages.
However, the negotiations face significant challenges, particularly as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained his position that Hamas must be dismantled militarily and politically, a goal that seems difficult to achieve within the context of a ceasefire.
Despite suffering heavy losses, Hamas has shown resilience throughout the truce and insists that it will not disarm.
Adding to the complexity, an Israeli official stated that the country would not pull back from its control of a strategic corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border, a key area for halting weapon smuggling.
This decision, AP reported, could hinder negotiations, as it directly contradicts the terms of the ceasefire, which called for Israel's withdrawal from this corridor by the end of the first phase on Saturday.
Hamas has condemned this refusal, labeling it a "blatant violation" of the ceasefire agreement and a potential obstacle to the continuation of the truce. The militant group insists that adherence to the agreed-upon terms is essential for ensuring the safe return of the remaining hostages.
Earlier on Thursday, Hamas released the remains of four Israeli hostages, which were exchanged for over 600 Palestinian prisoners in the final planned swap under the first phase of the ceasefire. This exchange marked the culmination of the initial six-week phase of the truce.
The bodies returned to Israel were identified as Ohad Yahalomi, Itzhak Elgarat, Shlomo Mantzur, and Tsachi Idan. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum confirmed the identification of the deceased, with the tragic deaths linked to Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack that ignited the conflict.
While Yahalomi held French citizenship, Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed sorrow at the news, while French President Emmanuel Macron also shared in the grief of Yahalomi's family.
The prisoner swap also saw the release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners, with many women and teenagers released from Israeli detention. The prisoners, including 44 male teenagers and two women, received warm welcomes from their families in Gaza, though many were visibly distressed after their prolonged captivity.
The swap and ongoing negotiations follow the broader context of the conflict, which began in October 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages.
In response, Israel launched a military offensive that has resulted in significant casualties in Gaza, with Palestinian health officials reporting over 48,000 deaths, more than half of whom are believed to be women and children.
As the ceasefire talks continue, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has reiterated his commitment to securing the release of all hostages and dismantling Hamas, while the Trump administration has endorsed these goals.
However, there remains uncertainty about how Israel could achieve its war objectives without resuming military action, as Hamas remains firmly in control of Gaza.
In a separate development, a militant attack in northern Israel occurred Thursday when a driver rammed his car into people waiting at a bus stop on a highway, wounding at least eight individuals.
The suspect, a 53-year-old Palestinian from the West Bank, was “neutralized” by authorities, according to police. The injured were evacuated to a hospital, with two reported to be in serious condition. – February 28, 2025
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