Israel admits to ceasefire impasse

An admission has come from Israel regarding the negotiations for the second phase of the three-stage ceasefire agreement that went into effect in the Gaza Strip on January 19.

Omer Dostri, spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, refuted the statement made by Likud Member of Parliament Yuli Edelstein at a Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting that Israel was engaged in negotiations regarding the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, stating, "Contrary to MK Edelstein's claim, Israel is not currently holding negotiations for the second phase of the agreement."

In a statement on February 9, Dostri had reported that an Israeli delegation was in Doha, the capital of Qatar, for talks regarding the second phase of the ceasefire agreement. Dostri's latest statement marks the first time Israel has officially acknowledged that negotiations are not being conducted in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

THE CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT IS THREE-STAGE

The first phase of the three-stage agreement that began between Israel and Hamas on January 19 includes the cessation of hostilities, the release of 33 of the approximately 100 hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from densely populated areas of Gaza, and an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza.

While the first phase was ongoing, negotiations for the second phase were supposed to begin on the 16th day of the ceasefire (February 3). The second phase includes the release of all living hostages, including male soldiers, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. In the third phase, the bodies of deceased hostages in Gaza are to be returned, and a major reconstruction process is to be initiated in Gaza, which faces a rebuilding period.

Since the ceasefire went into effect on January 19, 5 prisoner exchanges have taken place, with Israel releasing 766 Palestinian prisoners and Hamas releasing 21 hostages.

News Source: İHA