Tel Aviv, March 9, 2025 – Israel has confirmed it will dispatch a delegation to Doha, Qatar, on Monday to engage in talks aimed at extending the fragile ceasefire with Hamas.
The announcement follows a meeting between Hamas representatives and Egyptian officials in Cairo on Saturday, where discussions centered on moving to the next phase of the ceasefire agreement. In a statement, Hamas emphasized the need for full adherence to the initial agreement, including opening border crossings and allowing unrestricted humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Hamas spokesperson Abdel Latif al-Qanoua indicated that prospects for further negotiations were positive, signaling potential progress in the talks.
The first phase of the ceasefire, which lasted six weeks and ended on March 1, saw the exchange of 25 Israeli captives for 1,800 Palestinian prisoners. However, Israel has insisted on extending this initial phase until mid-April, resisting Hamas’s demand to move forward with the second phase, which includes a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire.
Meanwhile, families of Israeli captives still held in Gaza protested in Tel Aviv on Saturday, urging the government to finalize a deal and prevent a return to war. Einav Zangauker, the mother of a hostage, accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of using the captives as political leverage.
Despite ongoing negotiations, Israeli military operations in Gaza have not ceased. At least three Palestinians were killed in fresh attacks on Saturday, while Israeli tanks and drones shelled residential areas in Rafah, intensifying the humanitarian crisis during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, Israeli attacks have killed 48,453 Palestinians and injured 111,860 since October 7, 2023. Aid blockades have further worsened conditions, with international agencies warning of a looming catastrophe if humanitarian access remains restricted.
As diplomatic efforts continue, pressure mounts on both sides to reach a sustainable agreement that could end hostilities and prevent further suffering.
