Egypt-US talks on Gaza point to close transition to second ceasefire phase: Sources to Reuters

CAIRO – 6 March 2025: Hamas and Israel seem closer to move to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement amid recent discussions that reportedly involved the three mediators: Egypt, Qatar and the United States, alongside Hamas officials.

Two Egyptian sources told Reuters that US President Donald Trump’s Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff held discussions with Egyptian and Qatari mediators as well as Hamas leaders on Wednesday night.

The sources noted that Egyptian-American talks addressed governance of post-war Gaza, including even potential leaders who will manage the enclave after the Israeli war concludes.

“Sources say that the discussions ended positively and indicate a near transition to a second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement,” Reuters reported.

The Israeli prime minister’s office told The Times of Israel that they are unaware of the development.

US-HAMAS TALKS

The reports come while the US, which designated Hamas a terrorist organization in 1997, recently held unprecedented direct talks with the group regarding the potential release of American captives still held in Gaza.

Five Americans are believed to be among the 59 captives still held by Hamas including at least 22 who are still alive. Of the five Americans, four have been confirmed dead by Israeli authorities, while Edan Alexander is believed to be alive.

Two sources with direct knowledge of the discussions told Axios that the US, represented by presidential envoy for captive affairs Adam Boehler, and Hamas discussed the possibility of a broader deal to end the Israeli war in Gaza.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on Wednesday that the US has engaged in “ongoing talks and discussions” with Hamas but refused to detail the content of the negotiations.

These discussions come amid a deadlock in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, facilitated by Egypt and Qatar, following the expiry of the first phase of the agreement last Saturday amid fears of war resumption.

The Israeli war in Gaza has killed over 48,400 people in Gaza, according to latest figures provided by the Palestinian health authorities in the enclave. Most of the fatalities are women and children.

Arab leaders on Tuesday endorsed an Egyptian plan for Gaza reconstruction, aimed to provide an alternative to a proposal unveiled by US President Donald Trump to “take over” Gaza and turn it into the “Riviera of the Middle East#Egypt #Africa #MENAhttps://t.co/ZAr3dHft4s

— Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) March 6, 2025

Hamas has rejected a recent Israeli-American proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire and urged global pressure on Israel to immediately implement the second phase of the deal.

The second phase includes the release of all captives in Gaza, an end to the war, and a full Israeli withdrawal from the territory.

Under the first phase of the agreement, Hamas released 30 living captives taken from Israel, most of whom were captured during the October 2023 attack, including Israelis and Thai nationals.

Hamas also returned the bodies of eight Israeli captives it asserts were killed by Israeli bombardment in Gaza.

In exchange, Israel has released about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including many detained during the war, along with others who were serving life sentences.

Amid the ongoing US talks with Hamas, US President Donald Trump has issued a fresh warning to Hamas that “THERE WILL BE HELL TO PAY” if the movement does not release the remaining captives taken from Israel during the October 7, 2023, attacks.