Delegations from Israel, Qatar, and the United States are in Cairo for intense discussions on the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire, Egypt’s State Information Service reported on Thursday.
The talks, aimed at finalising the next steps of the truce, come as efforts continue to implement the agreements reached in the previous phase. Negotiators are also focusing on improving the delivery of humanitarian aid to the devastated Gaza Strip.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent negotiators to Cairo after Hamas released the remains of four hostages in exchange for the freedom of hundreds of Palestinian detainees, many of whom have been forcefully detained without trial.
This swap marked the end of the first phase of the ceasefire, which will expire on Saturday.
Despite the progress, 58 hostages remain in Gaza, with 34 believed dead according to the Israeli military, and thousands of Palestinians remain illegally detained by Israel. Negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire will address future exchanges for their release, as well as broader efforts for a more permanent resolution to the conflict.
Hamas has expressed readiness to release all remaining hostages in one exchange if the second phase of the truce is agreed upon.
