Israeli, Qatari, and U.S. delegations have arrived in Cairo for “intensive” negotiations on the next stages of the Gaza ceasefire, Egypt’s State Information Service announced on Thursday. The talks aim to ensure the implementation of previous agreements and explore the conditions for extending the truce.
A key focus of the discussions is the possible release of the remaining 58 hostages held in Gaza, 34 of whom the Israeli military believes are dead. Hamas has stated it is prepared to release all remaining hostages in a single exchange if an agreement is reached on the second phase of the truce.
Ceasefire Extension and Humanitarian Efforts
The first phase of the ceasefire, which began with an initial exchange of hostages and prisoners, is set to expire on Saturday. On Wednesday night, Hamas handed over the remains of four Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, marking the final swap of the first phase.
Negotiators are also discussing ways to enhance humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza, which has been severely impacted by months of conflict. Egypt’s statement emphasized the importance of ensuring that humanitarian efforts continue alongside ceasefire negotiations.
Uncertain Path to a Lasting Agreement
While the talks in Cairo signal progress, significant obstacles remain. One major point of contention is Israel’s refusal to withdraw from the Gaza-Egypt border, known as the Philadelphi Corridor, a condition Hamas considers crucial for a lasting truce. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained that retaining control over the border is essential to preventing Hamas from rearming.
With the clock ticking toward the ceasefire deadline, the negotiations in Cairo will determine whether an agreement can be reached to extend the truce and pave the way for a more permanent resolution to the conflict.
