CAIRO – Negotiations are underway in Egypt for the second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza, as the initial phase is set to end on Saturday. Mediators from Qatar and the United States joined Israeli officials in Cairo for intensive discussions on achieving a long-term truce.

The talks aim to secure a complete end to the conflict, the release of remaining hostages, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. According to Israeli sources, 59 captives remain in Gaza, with 24 believed to be alive. However, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar expressed uncertainty about finding common ground for negotiations.

Hamas recently handed over the remains of four captives in exchange for the release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners. Meanwhile, Israeli officials delayed the release of 46 prisoners and announced they would not withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor as planned, raising concerns over the ceasefire’s stability.

The ceasefire, in effect since January 19, followed 15 months of war triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. Since then, Israel’s military actions have killed over 48,000 Palestinians and displaced 90% of Gaza’s population, according to Palestinian health officials.