Palestinians walk in al-Mughraqa in the central Gaza Strip, as displaced people move towards the northern parts of Gaza during a current ceasefire deal. AFP
Netanyahu's office said he would convene with his security cabinet on Monday to discuss phase two of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
It added that the prime minister was also dispatching negotiators to Cairo on Monday to discuss the "continued implementation" of phase one.
The office said the team would "receive further directives for negotiations on Phase II" after the cabinet meeting.
Excessive demands
According to Israeli Channel 14, Israel will present three main demands to Hamas during the new round of negotiations.
These demands include releasing all captives held by Hamas, dismantling Hamas' military wing and ending its combat capabilities, and exiling the group leaders from Gaza.
Political sources clarified that US President Donald Trump fully supports these demands, as his administration seeks to pressure Hamas to disarm as part of a long-term political solution.
US pressure
Israeli Channel 12 reported, citing unnamed sources, that the US administration is working behind the scenes to achieve what it describes as a broader settlement.
The sources revealed that Washington considers the release of Israeli captives in the first phase of the agreement extremely important and is therefore insisting on the continuation of implementing the deal.
According to the report, the US Secretary of State Mark Rubio made it clear to the Israeli prime minister and senior officials that refusing to negotiate is not an option.
Moreover, the Israeli channel noted that security agency chiefs requested that a delegation be sent to discuss the second phase. Still, Netanyahu rejected the request, arguing that the time was not yet right.
However, under pressure, Netanyahu backed down and decided to send a delegation to Cairo, excluding the heads of Mossad and Shin Bet.
He also granted the delegation limited authority, which does not include discussions on the second phase.
Earlier, US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff told Fox News that the talks regarding the second phase would continue this week so that they could be successfully concluded.
Witkoff is returning from a trip to Saudi Arabia and reports positive discussions with Netanyahu, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Thani, and the head of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service.
A Hamas official and another source familiar with the talks told AFP that negotiations on a second phase could begin this week in Doha.
Witkoff also pointed out that the second phase will be more complex, as it involves ending the Gaza war, excluding Hamas from participation in the government, and the group's departure from Gaza.
Violating humanitarian protocol
Meanwhile, Hamas held the Israeli occupation fully responsible for the consequences of its violations in implementing the truce agreement, particularly the humanitarian protocol.
The Palestinian group said Israel’s hesitation in initiating negotiations for the second phase reveals Netanyahu’s intention to obstruct the agreement and his efforts to resume the war on Gaza.
The comments came a day after Hamas freed three Israeli captives in exchange for 369 Palestinian prisoners — the sixth such swap under the first phase of the deal, mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt.
Since the truce began in January, 19 Israeli captives have been released in exchange for over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
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