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Second Phase Of Ceasefire Talks Begin Between Israel And Hamas
Negotiations for the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire began Thursday in Cairo, Egypt, averting a collapse ahead of Saturday’s expiration of the initial agreement’s first phase.
The talks bring together officials from Israel, Qatar, the United States, and Egypt as they attempt to find a path toward a more lasting peace.
These discussions focus on the second phase of the ceasefire, including the return of all remaining hostages in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the region. The first phase has seen significant progress, but many challenges remain.
Ceasefire talks: Phase 2 and beyond
The current talks are centered on two key objectives: securing the release of remaining hostages, including those thought to still be alive, and negotiating the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Israel has indicated that 59 hostages remain in Gaza, 24 of whom are believed to still be alive.
This complex task is made more difficult by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s demands for the dismantling of Hamas’ military and governing capabilities—an objective that runs counter to Hamas’ stance of not giving up its weapons.
Hours before the talks, an Israeli official confirmed that Israel would not withdraw from the strategic Philadelphi corridor on Gaza’s border with Egypt as required by the ceasefire. The corridor, essential for preventing weapons smuggling, remains a key point of contention. This refusal has complicated negotiations, with Hamas calling it a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire terms.
A critical moment for the truce
The ceasefire, brokered by the US, Egypt, and Qatar, has provided temporary relief after 15 months of intense conflict following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. However, Israel’s insistence on maintaining the corridor risks undermining the fragile truce. The failure to meet the withdrawal deadline by Saturday could jeopardise the ongoing peace talks and further destabilise the region.
The ceasefire’s first phase has seen prisoner exchanges, including the release of four Israeli hostages’ remains by Hamas in return for over 600 Palestinian prisoners. Despite the grim nature of these exchanges, they have provided some measure of closure for the victims’ families.
Israel released dozens of Palestinian prisoners
Israel released dozens of Palestinian prisoners, including teenagers and women, who were received by their families in Gaza. Many of the detainees had been held on security charges after Hamas’ October attack. Some were greeted with emotional reunions, while others, particularly the young detainees, appeared gaunt from their time in captivity.
These releases, although part of the ceasefire agreement, have sparked further debate on the treatment of hostages and prisoners. Israel had initially delayed the release of these detainees over concerns about the public parading of hostages, a practice that has been widely condemned as degrading.
The ongoing conflict has taken a devastating toll on both sides. Over 48,000 Palestinians have been killed, including a significant number of women and children. The war has displaced approximately 90 per cent of Gaza’s population and left the region’s infrastructure and health system in ruins.
8 injured in Israel after car rams into pedestrians
Meanwhile, tensions in Israel remain high. At least eight people were injured in a suspected car attack in northern Israel Thursday. Authorities believe the incident was a militant attack, with the driver ramming a vehicle into pedestrians at a highway bus stop. The attacker, a 53-year-old Palestinian, was neutralised by Israeli police. Two of the injured are reported to be in serious condition. This attack highlights the continuing violence in the region, which threatens to derail efforts for peace.
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