Hamas has set out its demands for the second phase of the Gaza truce. These include a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, an end to the blockade, reconstruction efforts, and financial support, according to an official speaking to AFP.
Call for immediate negotiations
On Sunday, Hamas insisted on moving directly into negotiations for the second phase. Israel confirmed it would send a delegation to Doha for further talks.
Representatives from Hamas met with mediators in Cairo. They emphasised the need for unrestricted humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. Hamas also called for talks to begin immediately on the second phase, which aims to establish a permanent ceasefire. Key demands include the withdrawal of Israeli forces, lifting the blockade, rebuilding Gaza, and financial aid.
Hamas spokesperson Abdel Latif Al-Qanoua described the indicators as “positive.”
Israeli position on ceasefire extension
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the delegation would travel to Doha on Monday. Israel has expressed interest in extending the first phase of the ceasefire until mid-April.
The initial truce ended on March 1 after six weeks of calm. During this period, Israel and Hamas exchanged 25 living hostages and eight bodies for the release of 1,800 Palestinian prisoners. This ceasefire halted fighting, which had displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza. It also allowed vital aid, including food, medical supplies, and shelter, into Gaza. However, after Israel turned off the aid pipeline again, UN human rights experts accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon.
Humanitarian crisis in Gaza
Haneen al-Dura, a displaced Palestinian woman, described living on the streets for over a month before receiving a tent. As the sole provider for her family, she found the experience distressing.
US President Donald Trump recently warned of further destruction in Gaza if all remaining hostages were not released. He issued a “last warning” to Hamas leaders and stated that Gazans would face consequences unless the hostages were freed.
Hamas responded, stating that Trump’s threats would likely encourage Israel to ignore the truce terms. The Trump administration has confirmed direct talks with Hamas, a shift from its previous stance since labelling the group a terrorist organisation in 1997.
Hostages and ongoing diplomatic efforts
Of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas, 58 remain in Gaza, including five Americans. Four American captives are confirmed dead, and one, Edan Alexander, is believed to be alive.
The White House confirmed that Trump met with eight of the freed hostages, who expressed gratitude for his efforts in securing their release.
Trump had previously proposed a plan to relocate Palestinians from Gaza, but this was met with widespread opposition. In response, Arab leaders suggested an alternative. They proposed financing Gaza’s reconstruction through a trust fund, with the Palestinian Authority returning to govern the region.
US envoy Steve Witkoff described the proposal as a “good-faith first step.” He will travel to Saudi Arabia this week for discussions on the Ukraine war.
In Tel Aviv, families of Israeli hostages urged the government to fully implement the ceasefire. One mother, Einav Zangauker, whose son is a hostage, said continuing the war would only result in more deaths without bringing the hostages home.
Recently freed hostages also joined in urging the government to adhere to the ceasefire.
Hamas’s initial attack killed 1,218 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to official figures. Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has claimed at least 48,446 lives, the majority of them civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry, which is run by Hamas. The UN recognises these figures as reliable.
