Gaza ceasefire talks on target, US says

The US said talks for phase number two of a Gaza ceasefire deal were on target, as Hamas said Israel would free Palestinian prisoners in return for the bodies of four Israeli hostages, the Al-Monitor reported on February 25th.

Thousands of people gathered in Israel for the funeral of Shiri Bibas and her sons, who were killed when they were held captive in Gaza. The ceasefire has mostly brought an end to the war between Israel and Hamas, prompted by the attack of October 7th 2023, and has seen the liberation of 25 hostages in return for hundreds of prisoners.

US President Donald Trump’s leading Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, said Israeli representatives were being dispatched for talks on the deal’s next phase.

Al-Monitor