Israel announced on Thursday, February 27, that it is sending negotiators to Cairo for talks aimed at extending the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, which is set to expire in two days. The discussions focus on securing the release of additional hostages while postponing any final agreement on Gaza’s future.
This follows Hamas’ handover of the bodies of four hostages, the last to be released under the terms of the six-week ceasefire that began on January 19. Talks on a second phase, which would aim for a permanent end to the war, have not yet commenced.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that the delegation will explore whether there is common ground to extend the truce, emphasizing Israel’s willingness to prolong the ceasefire in exchange for more hostage releases. Israeli officials revealed that the proposal involves Hamas freeing three hostages weekly in return for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Neither Hamas nor Israel has clarified what will happen if the first phase expires without an agreement. Egypt and Qatar, with U.S. support, are mediating the negotiations.
The initial phase of the ceasefire involved the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees held in Israeli jails.
