Israel has announced it will dispatch a delegation to Qatar on Monday to further ceasefire and prisoner exchange negotiations concerning the Gaza Strip. This decision follows an invitation from mediators, primarily the United States, to advance the three-phase agreement after the completion of its initial stage.
According to Israeli state television, the U.S. has initiated efforts to secure the release of 10 live prisoners held by Hamas in exchange for a two-month extension of the Gaza ceasefire. These negotiations reportedly involve the U.S. and Hamas, with support from Qatari and Egyptian mediators, without direct Israeli participation.
The initial ceasefire and prisoner swap agreement, effective from January 19, saw the release of over 1,700 Palestinian inmates from Israeli prisons and the handover of 33 Israeli prisoners (25 alive, eight deceased) to Israel from Gaza, along with five Thai prisoners.
The second phase of negotiations, initially scheduled to commence on February 3, has been delayed. While Israel has stated its adoption of a proposal to extend the first phase, Hamas has rejected it, leading to Israel halting the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.