KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas on the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire began on Thursday, according to Egyptian officials, preventing an immediate collapse ahead of the agreement’s first phase expiration on Saturday.
Representatives from Israel, Qatar, and the United States launched “intensive discussions” in Cairo regarding the second phase of the ceasefire, as confirmed by Egypt’s state information service.
“The mediators are also discussing ways to enhance the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, as part of efforts to alleviate the suffering of the population and support stability in the region,” the statement read.
Phase 2 of the ceasefire discussions focuses on the potential end of the war, the return of all remaining hostages in Gaza, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the territory. A subsequent Phase 3 would address the return of hostages who have died in captivity.
According to Israeli reports, there are currently 59 hostages remaining in Gaza, 24 of whom are believed to be alive.
However, bridging the gap between a ceasefire deal and Israel’s military objectives remains difficult. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently stated his goal of dismantling Hamas’ governing and military capabilities. Despite significant casualties, Hamas remains intact and refuses to disarm.
Hours before negotiations commenced, an Israeli official stated that Israel would not withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor, a strategic border area between Gaza and Egypt, as required under the ceasefire agreement. This decision complicates the already delicate negotiations, particularly with key mediator Egypt.
An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, justified the army’s presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, citing the need to prevent arms smuggling into Gaza. Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed he had seen tunnel entrances on a recent visit to the corridor, though he provided no evidence. Egypt has denied these claims, stating that it dismantled smuggling tunnels years ago and maintains a military buffer zone to prevent illegal activity.
Hamas, in response, warned that any Israeli effort to retain control over the corridor would constitute a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire terms.
On Thursday, Hamas released the remains of four Israeli hostages in exchange for over 600 Palestinian prisoners, marking the last planned swap under the ceasefire’s first phase.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum confirmed the identities of the four deceased as Ohad Yahalomi, Itzhak Elgarat, Shlomo Mantzur, and Tsachi Idan. Mantzur, 85, was killed during Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and taken into Gaza, while the other three were reportedly killed in captivity.
“Our hearts ache upon receiving the bitter news,” said Israeli President Isaac Herzog. “In this painful moment, there is some solace in knowing that they will be laid to rest in dignity in Israel.”
Among the Palestinian prisoners released were 445 men, 21 teenagers, and one woman. Many were detained in Gaza following the October 7 attack, held without formal charges. While some were returned to the West Bank and East Jerusalem, dozens of those convicted for attacks against Israelis were exiled.
The six-week ceasefire, brokered by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, halted 15 months of warfare that began after Hamas’ October 7 attack on southern Israel, which left approximately 1,200 Israelis dead and saw around 250 people taken hostage.
Since then, Israeli military operations have resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, according to health officials in Gaza. Reports indicate that more than half of the casualties have been women and children. The ongoing conflict has displaced an estimated 90% of Gaza’s population and devastated the territory’s infrastructure and healthcare system.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has vowed to continue efforts to recover all remaining hostages and dismantle Hamas’ military structure. The U.S. has reiterated its support for these objectives.
However, with Hamas holding the remaining hostages as leverage, the path forward remains unclear. The militant group is unlikely to release its last bargaining chips without securing a lasting ceasefire, making continued negotiations critical to preventing further escalation.
