Negotiations Resume in Israel as Mother and Children Confirmed Deceased
Israel’s foreign minister announced that negotiations with Hamas for a second phase of a cease-fire would resume.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that Israel will engage in talks for the next phase of a Gaza cease-fire, which includes discussions with Hamas regarding the exchange of remaining living hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
The initial talks were supposed to commence before the first phase concluded on March 2, but Qatar, the host, mentioned that they had not yet begun.
Israel confirmed on Feb. 19 that four hostage bodies, including those of Shiri Bibas, her two children Ariel and Kfir, and Oded Lifshitz, would be returned on Feb. 20. Yarden Bibas, Shiri’s husband, had been released on Feb. 1.
The Bibas family’s abduction became symbolic of the hostage crisis.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his sorrow, stating, “My heart is torn. Yours is, too. And the heart of the whole world should be torn as well because here, we see who we are dealing with, what we are dealing with—monsters.”
Hamas is set to release six living hostages on Feb. 22, completing the transfer of 25 hostages as part of the first phase of the cease-fire. However, Hamas still holds four deceased hostages promised to be returned.
Israel is demanding the complete demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, rejecting a “Hezbollah model” and the presence of the Palestinian Authority in the region.
Hamas stated its readiness in a second phase of the cease-fire deal to release all remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for a lasting truce and Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza.
According to The Times of Israel, Minister Ron Dermer will now lead Israel’s negotiating team, replacing Mossad chief David Barnea.
The negotiations’ focus for the second phase includes the release of remaining hostages, the exchange of Palestinian prisoners, and a permanent end to hostilities.
Disclaimer: The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
