'Israel' demands no weapons in Gaza, Hamas exclusion from governance
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"Israel" sets strict demands as negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire take place while attempting to extend the first phase.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a joint news conference with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on February 16, 2025. (AP)
"Israel's" Public Broadcasting Corporation (IPBC) revealed that "Israel" will start the negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire deal, with their first demand being to empty the Gaza Strip of weaponry, remove Hamas from governance, and proposing that the Palestinian Resistance release all Israeli captives in one exchange.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu has decided that "Israel" would begin negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire deal. In parallel, "Israel" is still making attempts to extend the first phase of the ceasefire deal and impose strict security and political demands.
Netanyahu put the Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs in charge of the negotiations, succeeding Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, according to the IPBC.
As the second phase of the talks is set to begin, "Israel" will conduct its talks in coordination with the United States, as US envoy Steve Witkoff is set to arrive in the region.
Conflicting reports regarding the second phase
Conflicting reports emerged from Israeli media around the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, adding to the uncertainty surrounding whether the Israeli government is looking to ruin or move forward with them.
Israeli Channel 12 reported that the US envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff said the second phase will proceed regardless of its complexity. He described his productive discussions with Netanyahu, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani, and Egyptian intelligence officials as "very productive and constructive.".
Channel 14 said that the second phase is unlikely to happen, and instead, the first phase may be extended to release more Israeli captives, without adding to "Israel's" commitments.
Netanyahu sent a delegation on Monday to Cairo to discuss the continuation of the first phase of the ceasefire deal, stating that he "instructed the negotiating team to depart for Cairo tomorrow to discuss the continued implementation of Phase 1 of the agreement."
