Israel to start talks on phase two of Gaza ceasefire deal

Israel will start indirect negotiations with Hamas on phase two of he Gaza ceasefire deal this week and the country is pushing for a full demilitarization of the enclave, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on February 18th, according to Asharq Al-Awsat via Reuters.

The negotiations for phase two of the ceasefire deal were meant to start on February 2nd but Qatar, Egypt and the US which is mediating between the two parties, said the discussions have not officially commenced as of yet. In Jerusalem, Saar told a press conference: “It will happen this week.”

Israel has given contradictory signals during the last few weeks surrounding its engagement in the negotiations for the next stage of the ceasefire deal, which was effective on January 19th.

Asharq Al-Awsat via Reuters