Cairo: Hamas announced that its negotiating delegation is heading to Egypt to continue discussions on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. The delegation will engage with Egyptian officials, mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, along with Palestinian factions and forces.
According to Nam News Network, the talks are focused on consolidating the ceasefire and ensuring the implementation of commitments agreed upon in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. This includes addressing humanitarian conditions in Gaza and transitioning to the second phase of a plan introduced by US President Donald Trump. The initiative follows Israel's military actions in Gaza, which began on October 8, 2023, resulting in over 73,000 Palestinian deaths and more than 174,000 injuries, predominantly affecting women and children.
The ceasefire, which took effect on October 10, 2025, has been marred by ongoing Israeli attacks, leading to further casualties. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, 1,207 Palestinians have been killed and 3,914 injured since the ceasefire began. Israel has also been accused of violating the agreement by restricting essential supplies into Gaza, where 2.4 million Palestinians face dire living conditions.
Hamas maintains that it has met its initial commitments by releasing Israeli captives, whereas Israel is accused of not fulfilling its obligations due to continued military actions and aid restrictions. The second phase of the agreement involves a broader Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the commencement of reconstruction, alongside the disarmament of Palestinian factions. However, these conditions have not yet been realized, with Israel demanding disarmament as a priority.