Israel to send team for Gaza ceasefire talks in Qatar

Israel has confirmed that it will send a delegation to Doha, the capital of Qatar, to negotiate an extension of the fragile ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The negotiations aim to seek further progress in easing tensions in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday evening that the delegation would travel to Doha on Monday to "advance negotiations." This came after a Hamas delegation met with Egyptian officials in Cairo to negotiate the second phase of the ceasefire agreement. Hamas emphasized in a statement that all terms of the agreement must be adhered to, the second phase of negotiations must be initiated immediately, and border crossings must be opened to allow relief supplies to enter Gaza without any restrictions or conditions.

Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif Kanu'a said a day earlier that "the signs regarding the initiation of the second phase of negotiations are positive." The first phase of the ceasefire agreement ended on March 1, lasting six weeks, during which the two sides conducted multiple exchanges, including the release of 1,800 Palestinians from Israeli prisons in exchange for 25 Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

Israel has stated its desire to extend the first phase of the agreement until mid-April, refusing to enter the second phase involving a comprehensive end to the war and a full withdrawal from Gaza. However, Hamas has expressed its desire for both sides to enter the second phase of the agreement. Meanwhile, released Israeli hostages and families of those still held hostage in Gaza have called on the government to enter the second phase of the agreement to prevent a return to war.

At a protest held in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening, Einav Zangauker, the mother of Matan Zangauker, who is being held hostage in Gaza, accused Netanyahu of using the hostages as pawns, playing a "political chess game." She said: "The war could resume in a week... Only a one-time agreement to bring everyone back can ensure their return."

Al Jazeera's Hamda Salhut, reporting from Jordan, said that Israel's push to extend the first phase of the agreement has led to a blockade of much-needed humanitarian aid. She said: "Netanyahu is still facing enormous pressure from the families of the hostages, who accuse the prime minister of prolonging the war for personal and political gain."

While negotiations are underway, Israel continues to carry out deadly attacks on Gaza, killing at least three Palestinians on Saturday. Palestinians in Gaza are also struggling under an aid blockade, which has exacerbated the dire humanitarian crisis during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, Rafah has been the target of intense attacks from Israeli tanks and drones since Friday night, with shelling affecting residential areas including al-Jnaina, ash-Shawka, and Tal as-Sultan.

The Gaza Health Ministry says that at least 48,453 Palestinians have been killed and 111,860 wounded in Israeli attacks since October 7, 2023.