Israeli reports indicate that Tel Aviv is preparing to engage in negotiations for the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile, Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Israel and the United States will decide within 48 hours whether to send a delegation to Qatar to resume indirect talks with Hamas.
اضافة اعلان
According to Channel 12 on Tuesday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed his ministers not to leak any information to avoid harming efforts to retrieve Israeli captives from Gaza.
Conditions for Phase Two
The report stated that Netanyahu insisted that the second-phase negotiations must include disarming Gaza and rejecting the transfer of control from Hamas to the Palestinian Authority.
At the same time, Israel is reportedly preparing to resume fighting, citing the uncertainty of the second phase’s success.
Netanyahu Briefs the Cabinet
Meanwhile, Israel’s public broadcaster reported that Netanyahu has officially decided to begin negotiations for the second phase and has informed the Security Cabinet (the "kitchen cabinet") of this decision.
Negotiations will begin with the arrival of U.S. envoy Steven Wietkoff in Israel, the report added.
Israeli Foreign Minister's Position
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stated on Tuesday that Israel will start the second-phase negotiations this week and will demand the complete disarmament of Gaza.
Sa’ar claimed that Hamas intends to follow Hezbollah’s model by transferring civilian governance to the Palestinian Authority or another entity while maintaining its military dominance in Gaza. However, Israel insists on the complete disarmament of Gaza.
Dermer Leads the Negotiations
Israeli media reported that Netanyahu has appointed Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer as the head of Israel’s negotiating team for phases two and three of the agreement, replacing Mossad chief David Barnea.
Reports suggest that Netanyahu aims to impose conditions that Hamas cannot accept, effectively stalling the negotiations.
Delays and Conflicting Signals
Negotiations for the second phase were originally expected to begin on February 2, but Qatar—which is mediating alongside Egypt and the U.S.—stated that talks have not yet officially begun.
In recent weeks, Israel has sent mixed signals regarding its participation in discussions on the next phase of the ceasefire, which took effect on January 19, with the stated goal of ending the Gaza war permanently.
