Gaza: Hamas has stated that there are "positive signs" for the resumption of the second round of ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.
The announcement was made on Saturday, March 8, by Hamas spokesperson Abdel Latif Al-Qanou, following meetings between Hamas representatives and mediators in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.
Without providing specific details, Al-Qanou said in a statement, "There are positive indications for the start of the second round of negotiations."
A high-level Hamas delegation met with Egyptian officials on Saturday, with the discussions reportedly focusing on determining Hamas’ stance on advancing the ceasefire negotiations.
Hamas reiterated its willingness to engage in a second phase of talks with Israel but urged mediators to pressure Israel into fulfilling commitments made during the first phase of the ceasefire.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced that an Israeli delegation will travel to Doha, Qatar, on Monday, March 11, to participate in ceasefire discussions. According to the statement, Israel has accepted the invitation from mediators backed by the United States and will send a team to advance the negotiations.
The first phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, brokered by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, began in early January 2024 but officially ended on March 1. Despite the ceasefire's expiration, major hostilities between Hamas and Israel have not resumed.
Israel had initially aimed to extend the first phase of the ceasefire until mid-April, but Hamas insisted on launching negotiations for a second phase, which could potentially lead to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
During the initial ceasefire phase, Hamas released 25 hostages and handed over the bodies of 8 others in exchange for the release of approximately 1,800 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
As of now, 58 hostages are believed to remain in Gaza. Israel has stated that 34 of these hostages are presumed dead.
