Qatar PM Calls On Hamas And Israel To Immediately Start Negotiation Of The Second Stage Of Ceasefire

JAKARTA - Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Sunday called on Israel and Hamas to immediately start negotiations for the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, saying there are no clear plans for when negotiations will begin.

"We demand (Hamas and Israel) to be immediately involved as stipulated in the agreement," Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said at a news conference held with Turkish foreign ministers in the Qatar capital, Doha, on Sunday, reported by Reuters on February 3.

According to the ceasefire agreement, negotiations on the implementation of the second phase of the deal must begin before day 16 of the first phase of the ceasefire, Monday.

Israel and Hamas last month reached a complicated three-stage deal that has halted fighting in Gaza.

Qatar's PM announced the deal in Doha on January 15, before it took effect from January 19.

Hamas has so far released 18 hostages in exchange for Israel releasing hundreds of Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons.

On the other hand, there are still more than 70 hostages detained in Gaza.

The second phase of the deal is expected to include Hamas' release of all hostages still detained in Gaza, permanent halt to hostilities, and the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the enclave.

"Nothing is clear about where the delegation will come and when it will take place," explained Sheikh Mohammed.

The mediators have spoken with Hamas and Israel by telephone and Qatar has set an agenda for the next stage of negotiations, he said.

"We look forward to seeing some moves in the next few days. It is very important for us to start everything from now on in order to reach an agreement before day 42," he explained.

Separately, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Office said he would begin negotiations for the second phase of the agreement on Monday in Washington, when he will meet with US President Donald Trump's Middle East Envoy, Steve Witkoff.

During his meeting with Witkoff, Netanyahu will discuss Israel's position regarding the ceasefire, the prime minister's office said.

Witkoff will then speak with officials from Egypt and Qatar, who have been the mediator between Israel and Hamas for the past 15 months with support from Washington.