Israeli Team in Cairo for Gaza Ceasefire Phase Two Talks

Synopsis

An Israeli security team has arrived in Cairo to negotiate the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, focusing on hostages and humanitarian aid. The talks involve key Israeli agencies and address troop withdrawals as well as border crossings for injured Palestinians.

Key Takeaways

Israeli delegation in Cairo for ceasefire talks.
Focus on hostages and humanitarian aid.
Discussions about Rafah border reopening.
Troop withdrawal negotiations ongoing.
Three-stage ceasefire deal reached last week.

Cairo, Jan 23 (NationPress) A security delegation from Israel has landed in Cairo to further engage in discussions regarding the execution of the second phase of the recently negotiated ceasefire-for-hostage release arrangement concerning Gaza, as reported by reliable Egyptian sources.

The Israeli team comprises officials from the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad and the Shin Bet security agency, according to sources who preferred to remain anonymous.

"The talks are concentrating on the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which entails reopening the Palestinian section of the Rafah border crossing to facilitate the movement of injured Palestinians," the sources indicated.

The discussions also tackled the status of Israeli forces in the Philadelphi Corridor, situated along the Gaza-Egypt border, where Israel is advocating for a partial troop withdrawal while Egypt demands a complete Israeli exit from the region, the sources added.

Moreover, the Egyptian and Israeli security representatives deliberated on a potential further exchange of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in return for Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons, as stipulated in the agreement, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

Last week, Israel and Hamas finalized a three-stage ceasefire agreement, facilitated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, following more than 15 months of conflict.

The ongoing six-week phase of this truce arrangement, which commenced on Sunday, includes the release of Israeli captives from Gaza alongside Palestinians from Israeli jails, as well as heightened humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza and a partial withdrawal of Israeli military personnel from the area.

Previously, a tense ceasefire accord between Israel and Hamas was activated on Sunday, marking the start of six weeks of tranquility and fostering hopes for an end to 15 months of Israeli assaults on Gaza, which have ravaged the enclave and for the liberation of numerous hostages held there.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu postponed the ceasefire by almost three hours after Hamas failed to meet an 8:30 a.m. deadline to submit the names of the first three hostages to be released later that day. Hamas attributed the delay to technical issues but eventually provided the list.