Both Israel and Hamas indicated on Saturday that they were gearing up for the next phase of ceasefire talks, as mediators pressed forward with efforts to extend the delicate 42-day truce that began in January.
Hamas described "positive indicators" for initiating second-phase negotiations but provided no further details. Meanwhile, Israel confirmed that it would dispatch a delegation to Doha, Qatar, on Monday, following an invitation from mediators.
Hamas representatives are currently holding discussions in Cairo with Egyptian mediators, who—alongside Qatari officials—have been facilitating the diplomatic efforts. These talks aim to progress toward the next stage of the agreement, which could potentially lead to a permanent cessation of hostilities.
"We affirm our willingness to engage in the second-phase negotiations in a manner that meets our people's demands and urge intensified efforts to support Gaza and lift the blockade on our suffering population," said Hamas spokesman Abdel-Latif Al-Qanoua.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement confirming Israel’s participation: "Israel has accepted the invitation of the mediators, backed by the U.S., and will send a delegation to Doha on Monday to advance negotiations."
Even as ceasefire discussions continue, violence persists. An Israeli airstrike on Saturday killed two Palestinians in Rafah, southern Gaza, according to medical sources. The Israeli military stated that its aircraft targeted a drone that had entered southern Gaza from Israel, striking "several suspects" attempting to retrieve it—an incident suspected to be linked to a failed smuggling attempt.
This latest strike followed an Israeli drone attack on Friday that killed two individuals in Gaza. The Israeli military claimed the strike targeted suspected militants who were operating near its forces in northern Gaza and attempting to plant an explosive device.
Under the ceasefire agreement established in January, Hamas is expected to release the remaining 59 hostages it holds as part of a second-phase deal. This phase is also intended to lay the groundwork for negotiations to formally end the war.
The first phase of the ceasefire concluded last week, after which Israel imposed a total blockade on Gaza, restricting all incoming goods and insisting that Hamas release the remaining hostages before further negotiations to end the conflict could proceed.
Since the truce took effect on January 19, Hamas has freed 33 Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. However, Israeli authorities estimate that fewer than half of the 59 remaining hostages are still alive.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, over 48,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s military offensive. The assault has displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza and has led to accusations of genocide and war crimes, which Israel vehemently denies.
The war erupted following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, in which around 1,200 people were killed and 251 individuals were taken hostage, according to Israeli figures.