Egypt’s state information service reports that talks have begun on the second phase of the ceasefire between Israel and U.S.-designated terrorist group Hamas in Cairo, just one day before the first phase of the truce is set to expire.
In a statement on its website, the information service said delegations from Israel and Qatar arrived in Cairo late Thursday and began “intensive discussions on the subsequent phases of the truce agreement.” Qatar, along with the United States and Egypt are moderating the talks.
The statement went on to say, “mediators are also exploring ways to enhance the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza as part of broader efforts to alleviate civilian suffering and support regional stability.”
Ahead of the talks, Israel Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told reporters in Jerusalem the Israeli delegation will see whether there was common ground to negotiate an extension to the truce.
Reuters news service, citing two government officials, reports Israel is seeking to extend the first phase of the truce, a move Hamas does not support.
The second phase of the talks are meant to negotiate an end to the war, including the return of all remaining hostages in Gaza who are alive, and the withdrawal of all Israeli troops from the territory. Return of remaining deceased hostages would happen in the third phase. Israel has said there are 59 remaining hostages – 24 of whom are still believed to be alive.
It is unclear what would happen beyond Saturday if the first phase of the ceasefire expires with no agreement.
U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres told reporters Friday that the ceasefire and release deal must hold.
“Each moment the ceasefire holds means more people reached and more lives saved,” Guterres told reporters.
He added that next Tuesday he will be in Cairo to join the Extraordinary Summit of the League of Arab States to discuss the reconstruction of Gaza.
Meanwhile, in its weekly update on Friday, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or OCHA, reported the ongoing Israeli Defense Forces operation in the northern West Bank has left “tens of thousands” of people internally displaced in Jenin and Tulkarm.
The report said humanitarian aid groups have mobilized to scale up assistance to families in need,” amid an increasingly challenging operating environment.”
OCHA also said that from Feb. 18-24, Israeli forces killed five Palestinians, and injured 39 others across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
The agency said attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian communities in the West Bank over the past week left at least 10 Palestinians injured, widespread damage to property and the displacement of at least 17 families.
Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
