Officials gathered in Cairo on Wednesday to deliberate on the second stage of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement.
Reports indicate that the intelligence chiefs from Turkey and Egypt, along with Qatar’s prime minister, reportedly attended the meeting.
Attendees reportedly consented to further enhance coordination and collaboration with the Civil Military Coordination Center. This initiative aims to remove impediments, ensure the ceasefire’s continuation, and preempt additional breaches. Discussions also covered addressing Israeli ceasefire violations.
Even as Hamas and Israel exchange accusations of breaching the ceasefire, mediators remain committed to advancing to the subsequent phase.
The second stage of the agreement outlines the deployment of an international stabilization force and the establishment of an international authority for Gaza’s governance. It further mandates the disarmament of Hamas. Moreover, Israel is expected to withdraw further from the “yellow line” before the international force assumes control.
On Tuesday, the remains of Israeli hostage Dror Or were exchanged for the bodies of 15 Palestinians. Israel has confirmed that Or and his wife, Yonat Or, perished in the October 7, 2023, assaults on Kibbutz Be’eri.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum released a statement detailing how Dror and Yonat, as their home ignited, rescued their children by evacuating them through a safe room window. The couple separated while trying to flee but were both killed by the assailants. Their two children, Noam and Alma, were subsequently abducted.
Noam and Alma were freed on November 25, 2023, during the initial hostage exchange, precisely two years prior to their father’s remains being repatriated to Israel.
The remains of two captives — Israeli Ran Gvili and Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak — are reportedly still held in Gaza.
Hamas has pledged to fulfill its part of the agreement by returning both individuals, though no specific timeline for their return was provided, as reported by The Associated Press.