Netanyahu sends delegation to Cairo as 'Israel' violates Gaza truce
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Earlier today, an Israeli airstrike killed three Palestinian police officers east of Rafah, an attack condemned by the Gaza Interior Ministry as yet another Israeli breach of the truce.
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Hamas and PIJ fighters stand in formation in front of International Red Cross cars waiting for Israeli captives who have been held captive in Gaza since October 7, 2023, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday Feb. 15, 2025 (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed his negotiating team to travel to Cairo on Monday to continue discussions on the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, his office announced on Sunday.
Netanyahu's statement confirmed that he "instructed the negotiating team to depart for Cairo tomorrow to discuss the continued implementation of Phase I of the agreement." It also noted that after a security cabinet meeting on Monday, the team will receive further directives for negotiations on Phase II of the truce. "Following the security cabinet meeting scheduled for tomorrow, the team will receive further directives for negotiations on Phase II," the statement added.
Even as talks are set to resume, Israeli forces have intensified their attacks on Palestinians in clear violation of the ceasefire. Earlier today, an Israeli airstrike killed three Palestinian police officers east of Rafah, an attack condemned by the Gaza Interior Ministry as yet another Israeli breach of the truce. Meanwhile, "Israel" falsely claimed it targeted armed individuals, a common justification for its indiscriminate assaults on Palestinians.
Palestinian police officers were martyred by Zionist bombing while they were securing aid east of Rafah, south of the #GazaGenocide 16.2.25 pic.twitter.com/8758yeDWvm
— Dogukan (@dgkn_yl) February 16, 2025
Hamas has repeatedly accused "Israel" of blocking humanitarian aid, preventing wounded Palestinians from traveling for medical treatment, and refusing to lift the blockade on Gaza. The group has warned that these systematic violations are aimed at sabotaging the ceasefire to maintain Israeli control over the besieged territory.
Read more: Israeli violations tantamount to agreement failure: Gaza Media Office
Hamas official Taher al-Nunu confirmed on Friday that indirect negotiations with "Israel" regarding the second phase of the ceasefire are expected to start next week. "We expect the second phase of the ceasefire negotiations to begin early next week, and mediators are continuing discussions on this matter," he stated. While Doha has been proposed as a venue for the discussions, "Israel" has deliberately delayed the process, seeking to avoid commitments to Palestinian demands.
The first phase of the ceasefire, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, led to the release of 33 Israeli captives in exchange for 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. However, "Israel" has continued to arrest and detain more Palestinians, undermining yet again the agreement. Hamas has made it clear that without "Israel" fulfilling its obligations, the second phase cannot proceed.
