Negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas are taking place in Cairo, and an Israeli official says the country’s negotiating team was returning home Friday evening.
The Israeli official, speaking to media on the condition of anonymity to discuss closed-door negotiations, said the talks were to continue Saturday. That’s when the agreement’s first phase technically expires, but under the terms of the deal, fighting won’t resume during the negotiations.
It was not clear if Israeli negotiators would travel back to Cairo on Saturday. Hamas said Friday it “reaffirms its full commitment to implementing all terms of the agreement in all its stages and details.”
Here’s the latest:
Hamas has rejected an Israeli proposal to extend the ceasefire’s first phase by 42 days, saying it goes against the truce agreement, according to a member of the group who requested anonymity to discuss the closed-door negotiations.
The Israeli proposal calls for extending the ceasefire through the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in return for an additional hostage exchange, the Hamas member said.
The first phase of the ceasefire, which started Jan. 19, saw the release of 33 Israeli hostages, including eight bodies, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Negotiations on the ceasefire’s more difficult second phase are meant to find an end to the war — including the return of all the hostages still alive in Gaza and the withdrawal of all Israeli troops from the territory.
It will be difficult to reconcile a deal with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s war objectives, which call for dismantling Hamas’ governing and military capabilities. After suffering heavy losses in the war, Hamas has nonetheless emerged intact during the ceasefire, and the group says it will not give up its weapons.
▶ Read more about Hamas in Gaza
The Israeli negotiating team sent to Cairo to discuss the second phase of the ceasefire deal with Hamas will return to Israel on Friday evening, an Israeli official said.
The official, speaking to the media on the condition of anonymity to discuss closed-door negotiations, said that the talks were to continue Saturday. It was not clear if the Israeli negotiating team would travel back to Cairo to attend them.
The talks are the first serious effort at moving the rocky ceasefire into its second phase, during which Hamas is supposed to release all living hostages in exchange for Israel withdrawing all troops from Gaza and an end to war. The first phase of the ceasefire is set to expire Saturday.
During the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which begins this weekend, observant Muslims around the world don’t eat or drink from sunrise until sunset. The month is known for increased prayers, charity and spirituality as well as gatherings centered around eating different foods and desserts throughout the night.
In Gaza’s heavily damaged north, media video showed a bustling street market in Gaza City offering essential ingredients for Ramadan meals and breaking the daily fast, including olives, pickles, spices, dates and dried fruit. One stall displayed fresh vegetables, while a nearby kiosk sold festive Ramadan decorations.
