Israel has confirmed it will dispatch a diplomatic delegation to Qatar to discuss extending the fragile ceasefire with Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Saturday night that the team would travel to Doha on Monday in “an effort to advance negotiations.” This move follows a meeting between Hamas officials and Egyptian mediators in Cairo on Saturday to discuss the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.
In a statement, Hamas emphasized the need to “adhere to all terms of the agreement, proceed immediately to initiate negotiations for the second phase, open the border crossings, and allow the entry of relief materials into Gaza without any restrictions or conditions.” Earlier, Hamas spokesperson Abdel Latif al-Qanoua expressed optimism, stating that “indicators are positive regarding the start of negotiations for the second phase.”
The first phase of the ceasefire, which concluded on March 1, involved the exchange of 25 Israeli hostages held in Gaza for 1,800 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails over six weeks. Israel has proposed extending the first phase until mid-April, resisting Hamas’s push to move to the second phase, which includes a full cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Tensions Escalate Over Gaza Blockade
Meanwhile, tensions have risen following Israel’s decision to cut electricity supplies to Gaza. Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen announced on Saturday that he had signed an order to halt power to the enclave, stating that Israel would “operate all of the tools at our disposal to ensure the return of all the hostages.” This move comes after Israel initially severed electricity to Gaza following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks, Although power was later restored to a wastewater treatment facility under government orders, the Israel Electric Corporation confirmed on Saturday that it had disconnected the facility again.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem dismissed the move as having little practical impact but condemned it as “behavior that confirms the occupation’s intent to continue its genocidal war against Gaza, through the use of starvation policies, in clear disregard for all international laws and norms.” Far-right Israeli politician Itamar Ben Gvir praised the decision and urged further action, including targeting fuel supplies that entered Gaza as part of the ceasefire deal. “The Gaza Strip must be completely and immediately blacked out as long as even one Israeli hostage is being held there,” he said.
Domestic Pressure Mounts on Netanyahu
On the Israeli home front, protests continue in Tel Aviv, with families of the remaining hostages accusing Netanyahu of prioritizing a resumption of hostilities over securing their loved ones’ release. The ongoing demonstrations underscore the domestic pressure on the Israeli government as it navigates complex ceasefire negotiations and mounting international scrutiny over its policies in Gaza.
The situation remains fluid, with both sides holding firm to their demands, raising concerns about the sustainability of the ceasefire and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.