No talks underway on second phase of Gaza ceasefire deal

According to a report by the Russian TASS news agency, Qassem informed Qatar’s Al Araby TV channel that the initial stage of the ceasefire agreement, brokered by the resistance and mediators, concludes today. Discussions regarding the subsequent phase were anticipated to commence on the 16th day of the ceasefire. However, negotiations did not proceed as planned due to Israel’s repeated violations of the agreement. “At present, there are no discussions with Hamas on the subject, nor is there any engagement concerning the second phase,” Qassem stated.

He emphasized Hamas’s ongoing commitment to the phased three-stage ceasefire agreement concerning Gaza.

On February 27, Egypt’s State Information Service announced the arrival of Israeli and Qatari delegations in Cairo to engage in discussions concerning the Gaza Strip. These talks will include the participation of officials from the United States. The primary focus of the consultations is to deliberate on the execution of a ceasefire agreement for Gaza, aimed at ensuring that both Israel and Hamas adhere to the established protocols.

In a diplomatic breakthrough mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, Israel and Hamas reached an agreement in mid-January aimed at releasing prisoners held in Gaza and establishing a ceasefire in the region. The truce was officially implemented on January 19. The initial phase of this accord is set to conclude on March 1. As stipulated in the agreement, Israel has received the return of all living prisoners and the remains of those who were deceased as intended for the first stage. In reciprocity, Israel has released more than 1,500 Palestinian detainees.