Israeli Cabinet to Evaluate Next Steps in Gaza Ceasefire

Synopsis

On February 10, Israel's cabinet is set to meet to discuss the next phase of the ongoing Gaza ceasefire. This follows the return of the Israeli delegation from recent indirect negotiations in Qatar, focusing on technical matters related to the fragile agreement.

Key Takeaways

Israeli cabinet to meet on Gaza ceasefire.
The delegation returned from talks in Qatar.
Focus on technical issues, not major unresolved matters.
21 hostages released; over 70 remain in Gaza.
US Secretary of State calls for release of all hostages.

Jerusalem, Feb 10 (NationPress) The cabinet of Israel will gather on Tuesday to deliberate on the subsequent phase of the ceasefire in Gaza, as stated by a spokesperson for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.

The Israeli team involved in the discussions in Qatar regarding the Gaza ceasefire returned to Israel on Monday morning, according to the announcement.

This delegation traveled to Doha on Sunday for indirect talks between Israel and Hamas about the next stage of the tenuous ceasefire, following Netanyahu's visit to Washington last week. However, Netanyahu's office indicated that the discussions primarily centered on technical issues rather than the critical unresolved matters, such as the governance of Gaza post-conflict.

Since the ceasefire commenced on January 19 after a prolonged and destructive conflict lasting 15 months, 21 hostages — comprising 16 Israelis and 5 Thais — were freed from Gaza in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners released from Israeli detention. Currently, more than 70 hostages remain in Gaza. The initial phase of the agreement, which lasts six weeks, anticipates the release of 33 hostages alongside around 2,000 detainees, according to reports from Xinhua.

On Sunday, reaffirming US President Donald Trump's strong position, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged the immediate release of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas, following the release of three captives.

On X, Rubio shared, "After 490 harrowing days in captivity, Eli, Or, and Ohad are finally home in Israel. The President of the United States (POTUS) was unequivocal — Hamas must release all hostages now!"

This statement was made after Hamas freed three Israeli hostages on Saturday. The released individuals, abducted during the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, were identified as Ohad Ben Ami, 56, a dual Israeli-German citizen; Eli Sharabi, 52; and Or Levy, 34.

Under the terms of the agreement, Israel has released 183 Palestinian prisoners from its facilities.

The Hamas-affiliated Prisoners' Media Office announced that among the released Palestinians were 18 individuals serving life sentences, 54 with lengthy sentences, and 111 from Gaza who were apprehended following the October 7 assault.