Israel and Hamas indicated on Saturday that preparations for the next phase of ceasefire negotiations were underway, as mediators pushed to extend the fragile 42-day truce that began in January.
Hamas announced that there were “positive indicators” for the start of the second-phase talks, although details were not disclosed. Israel also confirmed its readiness for negotiations, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announcing that Israel would send a delegation to Doha on Monday, as invited by U.S.-backed mediators, to advance the talks.
Hamas is currently engaged in ceasefire discussions in Cairo with Egyptian mediators, alongside officials from Qatar. These talks aim to move towards the next stage of the ceasefire deal, which could potentially pave the way for a more lasting end to the war.
“We are ready to engage in second-phase negotiations that meet the needs of our people, and we call for increased efforts to support Gaza and lift the blockade on the suffering population,” said Hamas spokesperson Abdel-Latif Al-Qanoua.
In a separate development, Hamas expressed approval of the formation of an administrative committee made up of "national and independent" figures to govern Gaza until elections can be held. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi previously stated that Cairo had cooperated with Palestinian leaders to create such a committee to oversee Gaza's governance post-conflict.
Despite the ongoing diplomacy, tensions remained high, with Israeli airstrikes killing two Palestinians in Rafah, southern Gaza, on Saturday. The Israeli military said the strikes targeted a drone that crossed into Gaza from Israel, hitting several individuals involved in a suspected smuggling attempt. This strike followed an Israeli drone attack on Friday, which killed two people in northern Gaza.
The ceasefire deal, which began in January, calls for the release of the remaining 59 hostages held by Hamas in the next phase of negotiations, along with final discussions aimed at ending the war. The first phase of the ceasefire concluded last week, but Israel imposed a total blockade on all goods entering Gaza, demanding the release of hostages before further negotiations.
Since the truce began on January 19, Hamas has freed 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli authorities believe that fewer than half of the remaining 59 hostages are still alive.
The ongoing conflict, which erupted after Hamas-led fighters attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, has claimed more than 48,000 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza health authorities. The violence has displaced nearly Gaza’s entire population and has led to accusations of genocide and war crimes against Israel, which it denies.
As the ceasefire talks progress, the situation in Gaza remains fragile, with both sides and their respective mediators working to avert further escalation.
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Israel’s military says it has launched a wide‑scale wave of strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure in western Iran amid the intensifying U.S.‑Israeli war with Tehran. This live report tracks the latest developments.
Top U.S. and Chinese economic officials launched a new round of talks in Paris on Sunday (15 March) to resolve issues in their trade truce. The discussions aim to smooth the way for U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of March.
The process of evacuating foreign diplomats and citizens from Iran to Azerbaijan through the Astara state border crossing continues on Sunday (15 March), ensuring smooth and efficient transit for those arriving.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 15 March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A long-running investigation has suggested that the street artist known as Banksy may be legally named David Jones. A report indicates that Jones was previously known as Robin Gunningham, a name long associated with Banksy, before legally changing his name several years ago.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued veiled threats to Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, and Hezbollah on Thursday (12 March), during his first press conference since the conflict with Iran began.
A widening conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel has triggered escalating military strikes across the Middle East, disrupted shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz and raised concerns over global energy supplies. This live report tracks the latest developments.
North Korea fired what appeared to be a ballistic missile on Saturday (14 March), Japanese and South Korean officials said. The development comes amid the joint annual U.S.-South Korea "Freedom Shield" military drills and South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok's visit to Washington.
Ukrainian drones struck an oil refinery and a key port in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region overnight (13-14 March), local authorities said, causing injuries and damage. In separate action, Russian air attacks on Ukrainian territory killed and wounded civilians near Kyiv, officials reported.
The process of evacuating foreign diplomats and citizens from Iran to Azerbaijan through the Astara state border crossing continues on Sunday (15 March), ensuring smooth and efficient transit for those arriving.
Israeli forces killed a Palestinian father, mother, and two of their children as they drove in the occupied West Bank on Sunday (15 March), Palestinian health authorities said, and the Israeli military said the incident was under review.
Kazakhstan is holding a nationwide referendum on a new draft Constitution on Sunday (15 March) that could significantly reshape the country’s political system. Polling stations have opened across the country, with nearly 12.5 million people eligible to take part.
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened further strikes on Iran's Kharg Island oil export hub and urged allies to send warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran vowed to step up its response and the war showed no sign of ending on Sunday ( 15 March).
Israel’s military says it has launched a wide‑scale wave of strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure in western Iran amid the intensifying U.S.‑Israeli war with Tehran. This live report tracks the latest developments.
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