Israel to begin negotiations on second phase of Gaza cease-fire deal
An Israeli army Merkava main battle tank is deployed by the concrete border wall at a position along Israel's northern border with Lebanon on February 18, 2025 (AFP Photo)
Israel will begin negotiations this week on the second phase of the Gaza cease-fire deal, which includes discussions on the exchange of remaining hostages and Palestinian detainees, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced on Tuesday.
Talks to address hostage exchange and troop withdrawal
Saar confirmed during a press briefing that the Israeli security cabinet decided to move forward with negotiations after a meeting held on Monday night.
The discussions were initially scheduled to begin on Feb. 3 but have faced delays.
“We had a security cabinet meeting last night. We decided to open negotiations on the second phase. It will happen this week,” Saar stated.
He emphasized that the second phase aims to secure the release of Israeli hostages while addressing conditions for a potential full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
Mediators had initially expected talks to be underway in Doha, but Qatari officials have said negotiations have not yet formally commenced.
Ongoing efforts to release hostages
Israeli and Palestinian sources have confirmed that efforts are ongoing to secure the release of more hostages from Gaza this week.
Saar reiterated Israel’s commitment to this objective, stating, “We are committed to our goal to ensure the release of all our hostages and all the other objectives of the war as decided by the security cabinet.”
Efforts were underway to secure the release this week of a larger number of Israeli hostages held in Gaza than is provided for in the truce deal between Israel and Hamas, Israeli and Palestinian sources said Tuesday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Netanyahu is making tremendous efforts” to release six living hostages and the bodies of four others this week, an Israeli official source told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
A Palestinian source close to the negotiations said mediators were making “efforts” to ensure “the bodies of several Israeli prisoners (be delivered) before Friday” and to increase the number of living hostages to be released on Saturday.
Uncertainty over phase two timeline
The current ceasefire agreement, which took effect on Jan. 19, 2025, is still in its first phase. The initial stage was meant to be followed by structured negotiations leading into the second phase before the agreement’s first phase ends on March 2.
However, no formal decisions have been made regarding what happens if phase two is not finalized by that date.
Saar outlined three possible outcomes: a successful agreement on phase two, failed negotiations leading to renewed military action, or a “constructive dialogue” that could extend the timeframe for talks.
Israeli demands for demilitarization
Saar reiterated Israel’s position that Gaza must be completely demilitarized as part of any long-term agreement.
He rejected any proposal that would transfer civilian control of Gaza from Hamas to the Palestinian Authority, stating that Israel would not accept a “Hezbollah model” in the enclave.
“Israel will not accept the continued presence of Hamas or any other terrorist groups in Gaza,” Saar stated. “The complete demilitarization of Gaza is necessary to ensure security and stability.”
Regional plans and alternative proposals
The foreign minister acknowledged reports of an alternative plan proposed by Arab states, which seeks to counter a U.S. initiative for Gaza’s redevelopment under American oversight.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed interest in exploring such proposals but has not committed to any specific approach.
Saar stressed Israel remains cautious about any arrangement that does not meet its security requirements.
