Israel and Hamas to Begin Indirect Negotiations on Second Phase of Ceasefire Agreement

Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip are scheduled to commence next week, following the arrival of an Israeli delegation in Doha on February 19, 2025. The negotiations will address the next steps in the agreement. Hamas has stated its willingness to release all remaining hostages in Gaza during the second phase of the truce. Currently, Israel and Hamas are finalizing the initial phase of the ceasefire, which began on January 19, during which 19 Israeli hostages were released in exchange for over 1,100 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Hamas announced an agreement to release six Israeli hostages on Saturday and to hand over the bodies of eight deceased hostages on Tuesday. Among the deceased are the remains of Shiri Bibas, abducted with her two children, Ariel and Kfir. Hamas claims these individuals died due to Israeli airstrikes on their detention centers. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, expressed his grief over the expected return of the bodies.