Israel and Hamas signaled on Saturday that they are preparing for the next phase of ceasefire negotiations, as mediators pushed forward with talks to extend the 42-day truce that began in January.
The Hamas movement stated that there are “positive signs” for the start of the second phase of the ceasefire talks, but did not elaborate further. Israel said it will send a delegation to Doha in Qatar on Monday to advance the negotiations, after accepting an invitation from the mediators.
A Hamas delegation is currently holding ceasefire talks with Egyptian mediators in Cairo, which are also being supported by officials from Qatar. The goal is to reach the next stage of the agreement, which could pave the way for the end of the war.
“We confirm our willingness to engage in the second round of talks in a way that fulfills the demands of our people and we demand increased efforts to help the Gaza Strip and lift the blockade against our suffering people” said Hamas Spokesman Abdel-Latif Al-Qanoua in a statement.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated: “Israel has accepted the invitation from the mediators supported by the United States and will send a delegation to Doha on Monday to advance the negotiations.”
While diplomatic efforts continue, two Palestinians were killed on Saturday in an Israeli air raid in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, according to medical sources.
The Israeli military reported that its plane had struck a drone that had flown from Israel into the southern Gaza Strip, as well as “several suspects” who had attempted to collect the drone, which was apparently a failed smuggling attempt.
As Hamas pushed for entry into phase two, the Israeli government is calling for the first phase to be extended to free more hostages. To build pressure on Hamas, Israel is currently halting aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip.