Israel, Hamas Begin Talks On Gaza Ceasefire Phase 2

Israel and Hamas began negotiations on the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire on Thursday, according to the Egyptian government, preventing a collapse before the first phase of the agreement expires on Saturday.

Israel, Qatar and the United States started “intensive discussions” on the ceasefire’s second phase in Cairo, Egypt‘s state information service said, as per the Associated Press (AP) report. It said, in a statement, that mediators were also trying to discuss different ways to enhance humanitarian aid delivery to the Gaza Strip to “alleviate the suffering of the population and support stability in the region”.

During Phase 2, the talks aim to negotiate an end to the war, including the return of all remaining living hostages in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the territory. The return of the deceased hostages is meant to happen during Phase 3.