After the release of three hostages from Hamas captivity, negotiations for the second phase of the hostage deal have been accelerated, despite initial plans to begin talks on the 16th day of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
According to an Israeli news report, Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar and Mossad Director Dedi Barnea traveled to Egypt on Sunday to lead discussions. Talks focused on mechanisms for prisoner releases and plans for governance in Gaza to replace Hamas.
Trump Envoy to Join Monitoring Efforts in Israel
As reported earlier, President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, discussed ceasefire efforts in an interview with Fox News. Witkoff emphasized the complexity of implementing the ceasefire agreement, stating, “I will be traveling to Israel soon as part of a monitoring team in the Netzarim Corridor to ensure militants do not move northward.” He added that successful implementation of the agreement would facilitate the next phase, which includes the return of numerous bodies. “The implementation of the ceasefire agreement will likely be more challenging than closing the deal itself,” he remarked.
Path to Normalization
On regional normalization, Witkoff expressed optimism. “I believe all countries in the region can normalize relations with Israel, including Qatar, which played a critical role in securing the agreement,” he said. He further highlighted that normalization would signify a transformative shift, leading to economic prosperity. “There will no longer be concerns about missile attacks from the Houthis or Hezbollah,” Witkoff added, emphasizing that the ceasefire is a prerequisite for the process to succeed.
Prime Minister’s Office Denies Reports on Palestinian Authority Role
A report from the Saudi press claimed that the Cairo talks concluded with an agreement for the Palestinian Authority to oversee the Rafah Crossing, a key border crossing between Israel and Gaza, under international supervision. Regarding the Philadelphi Corridor (between Israel and Egypt) there are ongoing disputes between Israel and Egypt according to an Israeli source, specifically regarding Israel’s full withdrawal from the area. “The gaps are technical and logistical and will be resolved, as Israel proposed partial withdrawals, but Egypt insisted on a full withdrawal to restore the situation to its pre-war state,” the report stated.
Contrary to these reports, the Prime Minister’s Office clarified that the Palestinian Authority would not manage the Rafah Crossing. “Despite attempts by the Palestinian Authority to create a false impression of control, according to the agreement, IDF forces oversee the crossing, and no movement occurs without prior approval and supervision by the IDF and Shin Bet,” the statement read. It further clarified that technical operations within the crossing are managed by Gazans unaffiliated with Hamas, vetted by the Shin Bet, and responsible for providing essential civilian services such as electricity, water, and sewage. “Their work is monitored by the international EUBAM force,” the statement concluded.
