Israel is set to dispatch a delegation to Doha on Monday to negotiate the extension of a ceasefire with Hamas, following recent discussions between Hamas representatives and Egyptian officials in Cairo.
On Saturday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that a delegation would be in Doha on Monday to “further the negotiation process.”
This development follows a Saturday meeting between a Hamas delegation and Egyptian officials in Cairo, focused on negotiating the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.
“The delegation stressed the importance of adhering to all terms of the agreement and immediately initiating talks for the second phase, which includes opening border crossings and permitting unrestricted entry of relief supplies to Gaza,” the statement reads.
Earlier, Hamas spokesperson Abdel Latif al-Qanoua mentioned that there were positive signs regarding the commencement of talks for the next stage of the agreement.
The initial phase of the ceasefire, which concluded on March 1, followed six weeks of exchanges, including the release of 25 Israeli captives held in Gaza in exchange for 1,800 Palestinians in Israeli prisons.
Israel aims to extend the first phase until mid-April, hesitant to move to the second stage that entails a complete ceasefire and full withdrawal of its forces from Gaza.
However, Hamas insists on moving to the second phase as originally planned.
Protests Erupt in Tel Aviv
Simultaneously, freed Israeli captives and the families of those still held in Gaza have called on the government to advance to the second phase of the deal to prevent a resumption of conflict.
At a protest in Tel Aviv on Saturday night, Einav Zangauker, mother of Matan Zangauker, who is being held in Gaza, accused Netanyahu of treating the captives as pieces in a “political game of chess.”
The war might resume in a week … Only a comprehensive agreement can guarantee their return,” Zangauker stated.
From Jordan, Al Jazeera’s Hamdah Salhut reported that Israel’s efforts to extend phase one of the deal have led to a blockade preventing the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid.
“Pressure on Netanyahu from the families of captives is mounting, as they accuse him of prolonging the conflict for personal and political gain,” Salhut said.
Despite the talks, Israel continued its lethal operations in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least three Palestinians on Saturday.
Gaza’s residents are also contending with the blockade, which has worsened the humanitarian crisis, particularly during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Since Friday night, Rafah has been a focal point of intense Israeli bombings from tanks and drones, with residential areas such as al-Jnaina, ash-Shawka, and Tal as-Sultan being affected, according to Wafa, a Palestinian news agency.
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, at least 48,453 Palestinians have been killed, and 111,860 wounded by Israeli attacks since October 7, 2023.
