Israel, Hamas Begin Talks On Gaza Ceasefire Phase 2

<p>Israel and Hamas began negotiations on the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire on Thursday, according to the Egyptian government, preventing a collapse before the first phase of the agreement expires on Saturday.</p>
<p>Israel, Qatar and the United States started &ldquo;intensive discussions&rdquo; on the ceasefire&rsquo;s second phase in Cairo, Egypt&lsquo;s state information service said, as per the Associated Press (AP) report. It said, in a statement, that mediators were also trying to discuss different ways to enhance humanitarian aid delivery to the Gaza Strip to &ldquo;alleviate the suffering of the population and support stability in the region&rdquo;.</p>
<p>During Phase 2, the talks aim to negotiate an end to the war, including the return of all remaining living hostages in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the territory. The return of the deceased hostages is meant to happen during Phase 3.</p>
<p>According to Israel, there are 59 remaining hostages &mdash; 24 of whom are still believed to be alive, reports AP.</p>
<p>It will be difficult to reconcile a deal with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu&rsquo;s war objectives, as he has insisted on dismantling Hamas&rsquo;s governing and military capabilities. Despite suffering heavy losses in the war, Hamas has remained intact during the ceasefire and has stated that it will not surrender its weapons.</p>
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<p>As per the report, before the talks began, an Israeli official said that it would not withdraw from a strategic corridor in the Gaza Strip as called for under the ceasefire. This refusal could severely complicate negotiations with Hamas and key mediator Egypt at a sensitive moment for the fragile truce. Overnight, Hamas released the remains of four hostages in exchange for over 600 Palestinian prisoners, the last planned swap of the ceasefire&rsquo;s first phase.</p>
<p>While speaking to AP, an Israeli official said that the army must remain in the Philadelphi Corridor&mdash;along the Gaza-Egypt border&mdash;to prevent weapons smuggling. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Israel Katz said at a meeting with local leaders that he had seen tunnels penetrating the border on a recent visit to the corridor, without providing evidence or elaborating on Israel&rsquo;s plans.</p>
<p>Egypt says it destroyed the smuggling tunnels from its side years ago and set up a military buffer zone to halt smuggling.</p>
<p>Hamas has stated that any Israeli attempt to maintain a buffer zone in the Philadelphi Corridor would be a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire agreement. The group insists that adhering to the agreement is the only way for Israel to secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza.</p>
<p>Israel was supposed to begin withdrawing from the Philadelphi corridor on Saturday, the last day of the first phase, and complete it within eight days.</p>