Hamas expects indirect negotiations with Israel for the second phase of an ongoing truce in Gaza to begin “early next week”, an official of the Palestinian militant group said Friday.
“We expect the second phase of the ceasefire negotiations to begin early next week, and mediators are continuing discussions on this matter,” Hamas official Taher al-Nunu said.
Another source familiar with the talks told AFP that “mediators informed Hamas that they hope to start the second phase of negotiations next week in Doha.”
Under the terms of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States — which came into effect on January 19 — negotiations for the second phase were due to start on February 3.
The 42-day phase one revolves around the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for around 1,900 prisoners, most of them Palestinian, being held in Israeli jails.
The second phase is expected to cover the release of the remaining hostages and include discussions on a more permanent end to the war.
Hamas has said repeatedly that it is prepared to begin the second phase of negotiations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the departure of a negotiating team to Doha on February 8 to discuss technical details of the ongoing agreement but it was not mandated to discuss phase two.
