Daijiworld Media Network- Cairo
Cairo, Feb 28: Delegations from Israel and Qatar have arrived in Cairo to engage in ceasefire negotiations over the ongoing Gaza truce deal, with US representatives also participating, according to Egypt’s State Information Service (SIS).
The SIS confirmed in a statement on Thursday that intensive discussions have commenced, focusing on the next stages of the truce while ensuring the implementation of previously agreed-upon terms, Xinhua news agency reported.
Negotiators also deliberated on enhancing humanitarian aid to Gaza, aiming to alleviate the suffering of its people and support regional stability, the statement added.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office announced earlier on Thursday that a negotiating team was sent to Cairo for ceasefire discussions, though no further details were provided.
With the 42-day initial phase of the three-stage ceasefire agreement set to expire on Saturday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stated, “Our delegation will go to Cairo and see whether we have common ground to negotiate.”
He further reiterated that Israel is willing to extend the truce framework in exchange for the release of more hostages.
Meanwhile, Israeli energy minister Eli Cohen said that 59 hostages remain in Gaza, emphasizing that securing their release remains a top priority for Israel.
Hamas, on the other hand, stated on Thursday that it is ready to begin negotiations on the second phase of the truce. The group emphasized that the release of remaining hostages would only be possible through continued commitment to the ceasefire.
The ongoing ceasefire agreement, brokered by Qatar and Egypt with support from the United States, took effect on January 19.
The first phase of the ceasefire involved the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees from Israeli jails. Fighting was paused, and Israeli forces withdrew from certain areas of Gaza.
However, negotiations for the second phase, aimed at securing the release of all remaining hostages and ensuring Israel’s full military withdrawal, were originally planned to begin earlier this month but faced delays.
Israel’s government is under public pressure to maintain the ceasefire to secure the release of the remaining hostages. However, internal divisions persist, with right-wing factions pushing for a return to war to achieve their goal of eliminating Hamas.
Israeli officials revealed that three of the four hostages whose bodies were handed over on Thursday had been murdered in captivity, while the fourth was killed on the day of capture.
The deteriorating health conditions of recently released hostages, with some appearing severely emaciated, and reports of alleged executions—including an infant—have further fueled public anger in Israel, potentially affecting ceasefire extension negotiations.
According to Palestinian authorities, over 48,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel’s military offensive began. The war has left the densely populated enclave in ruins, with millions displaced multiple times.
Hamas sources reported that the Palestinians released overnight included 445 men and 24 women and minors detained in Gaza, as well as 151 prisoners serving life sentences for attacks on Israelis.
As Egypt and Qatar continue to mediate with US backing, the future of the Gaza truce agreement remains uncertain.