Hamas representatives announced on Tuesday that they have initiated discussions with international mediators regarding the subsequent phase of the ceasefire in Gaza that began last month. The agreement outlines a three-phase negotiation process aimed at concluding the 15-month-long conflict. The first phase, which commenced on January 19, effectively halted combat, increased the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and facilitated an exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages abducted during the assault on October 7, 2023, that ignited the hostilities. However, uncertainties surrounding future hostage and prisoner exchanges, as well as the indefinite continuation of the ceasefire and governance in Gaza post-conflict, remain unresolved for later negotiation stages.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to Washington on Tuesday for discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump. The indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas are currently mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.
In related news, the Prime Minister of Qatar expressed his nation’s ongoing commitment to the Lebanese military during a visit to Beirut on Tuesday. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani reaffirmed this commitment following a meeting with Joseph Aoun, Lebanon’s president and a former army leader, whose election was marked by a resolution to a two-year-long presidential void. Qatar has notably provided support to the Lebanese military amidst ongoing economic struggles that have led to unpaid salaries for soldiers.
During a joint news conference with his Lebanese counterpart, Thani stated, “We are eager to collaborate on mutual projects between our countries once the government is formed.” Although specific sectors for investment were not detailed, Qatar has previously participated in offshore gas exploration alongside TotalEnergies and Eni off Lebanon’s coast.
Gaza City continues to grapple with the aftermath of extensive destruction, as newly homeless residents are met with uncollected refuse amidst the ruins. Footage from the area depicts significant trash accumulation alongside damaged buildings, with children sifting through waste in search of food or reusable materials. A resident, Abu Saad Saleh, underscored the health risks posed by the garbage, stating, “It spreads disease among people and makes children itch and cough.”
After the ceasefire began, many Palestinians who had sought refuge further south returned to find their homes in shambles, with limited access to water and a near-total absence of electricity. Local residents have resorted to burning trash, as illustrated by Rabah al-Kord, who noted the urgent need to eliminate waste to combat the breeding of pests and potential disease.
In another alarming development, the Israeli military reported that two soldiers died and eight others were injured during a shooting attack at a military installation in the West Bank. The incident followed intensified military operations by Israel aimed at curbing Palestinian militancy, particularly in the city of Jenin, where violence has surged since the onset of the war. Daily military raids in the area frequently escalate into gunbattles, reflecting a troubling uptick in retaliatory incidents involving both Palestinians and Israeli settlers.
Hamas has begun its talks concerning the ceasefire’s second phase, claiming that Israel has not fully complied with the initial agreement’s terms. Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua, a Hamas spokesperson, stated that negotiations would encompass further hostage exchanges and a potential Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. However, the group has accused Israel of hindering aid distribution. While discussing the second phase of negotiations, Netanyahu’s office disclosed plans for a delegation to head to Qatar this weekend to continue dialogues. The upcoming phase promises to be even more challenging to finalize, as Israel maintains that it will not completely withdraw from Gaza until Hamas’s military capabilities are effectively dismantled. Conversely, Hamas has vowed not to surrender the remaining hostages until all Israeli troops vacate the territory.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority has established a committee to oversee recovery efforts in Gaza. However, uncertainty surrounds its operational capabilities within the territory, given that Hamas retains substantial control over the region. During a recent Cabinet meeting, officials from the Palestinian Authority outlined their intention to deliver essential services—including water and electricity—to the southern Gaza Strip through collaboration with unnamed partners. A Palestinian official disclosed that a cadre of technocrats composed of independent individuals from Gaza would staff the new working group.
Despite the persistent governance of Hamas since it ousted the Palestinian Authority from Gaza in 2007, there have been calls, including from the Biden administration, for a reformed Palestinian Authority to manage post-conflict governance. Nevertheless, as Israel remains opposed to the establishment of a Palestinian state, support for the Authority continues to wane amidst perceptions of corruption and inefficiency among the populace. Currently, Authority representatives are present at Gaza’s Rafah crossing with Egypt, alongside observers from the European Union.
In Turkey, state media announced that the country would accept 15 Palestinian prisoners released and deported under the ceasefire accord between Israel and Hamas. The Turkish intelligence agency is coordinating the process of facilitating these individuals’ arrival from Egypt, ensuring they can resettle securely. The identities of the deported individuals were not disclosed, though they were noted to have been previously convicted of serious offenses. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reiterated Turkey’s readiness to support the Palestinian populace through medical assistance for the injured and by welcoming deported prisoners.
Contrasting with some Western nations, Turkey does not classify Hamas as a terrorist organization, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan frequently expressing strong opposition to Israeli military actions in Gaza and hosting Hamas leaders over the years.
Family members of Thai hostages recently released by Hamas visited them at an Israeli medical facility following their return after over 15 months of captivity. The Thai Embassy confirmed that relatives arrived to meet the freed hostages at the Shamir Medical Center on Tuesday. The release comprised five Thai nationals alongside three Israeli captives, as part of a larger ceasefire agreement that included the exchange for 110 Palestinian prisoners.
During the initial assault on October 7, 2023, Hamas abducted several Thai nationals amid the chaos, a significant concern given that many Thai workers are employed in Israel, often in agricultural roles offering higher wages than they might earn at home. Earlier, 23 Thai nationals were liberated during another ceasefire deal in November 2023, negotiated through efforts involving Thailand, Qatar, and Iran. Reports indicate that roughly 46 Thai individuals have been reported deceased throughout the conflict, including two whose remains were taken into Gaza during the earliest attacks.
