Egypt: Ceasefire Negotiations Between Israel and Hamas Expected to Resume

Egyptian officials said on Saturday, March 16, that negotiations aimed at establishing a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, which had been halted, are expected to resume on Sunday, March 17, in the Qatari capital. This is the first time Israeli officials and Hamas leaders have joined indirect negotiations since the beginning of Ramadan. International mediators had hoped to secure a six-week ceasefire before the start of Ramadan, but Hamas insisted that any agreement must lead to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, a request that Israel rejected. However, in recent days, both sides have taken steps aimed at resuming negotiations that were never fully halted. Two Egyptian officials, one of whom is participating in the negotiations, said on condition of anonymity that Hamas presented a new three-phase plan to the mediators. The first phase is a six-week ceasefire that includes the release of 35 female, sick, and elderly hostages in exchange for the release of 350 Palestinian prisoners in Israel. In this phase, Hamas will also release at least five female soldiers in exchange for 50 Palestinian prisoners serving long sentences for terrorism charges. This phase, according to Hamas, must include the withdrawal of Israeli forces from two main roads in Gaza and allow displaced Palestinians to return to their homes. In the second phase, with the establishment of a permanent ceasefire, Hamas will release the remaining Israeli soldiers it has taken hostage in exchange for a larger number of Palestinian prisoners in Israel. According to this Egyptian official, in the third phase, Hamas will hand over the bodies of the hostages it holds in exchange for lifting the blockade on Gaza and allowing reconstruction to begin by Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called this three-phase plan 'unrealistic.' Nonetheless, he agreed to send Israeli negotiators for further talks in Qatar. Egyptian officials said the negotiations are expected to resume on Sunday afternoon, March 17, although they may be postponed until Monday. Netanyahu's government has opposed a permanent ceasefire, insisting that it must first achieve its declared goal of 'destroying Hamas.' Netanyahu's office also announced on Friday, March 15, that he has approved military operations to attack Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza, where about 1.4 million Palestinian refugees have taken shelter. The United States and other countries have warned that such operations could be catastrophic, but Israel says the operations will target Hamas brigades based in the city. Following the Iranian-backed Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 6, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the taking of 250 hostages, many Palestinians fled to Rafah. Netanyahu's office stated that the Rafah operation will include the evacuation of civilians, but did not provide details or a timeline for it. The Israeli army said on March 14 that it intends to transfer civilians to safe areas in central Gaza, which it referred to as 'humanitarian areas.' U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday, 'We need to see a clear and actionable plan' to ensure the protection of innocent people in Rafah from Israeli attacks.