Doha Archives - CrossFireArarbia

Phase II of Gaza Ceasefire About to Start on ‘Positive’ Note

CrossFireArabia
February 18, 2025

Qatar reported a “positive atmosphere” on Tuesday to start negotiations for the second phase of a Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

“There is a positive atmosphere that may encourage the start of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari told a press conference in Doha according to Anadolu.

He, however, noted that the talks have not started yet, expressing hope that the negotiations will start “soon.”

Ansari said the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza was “insufficient,” stressing that it “must not turn into a bargaining chip.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said early Tuesday that the second-phase negotiations of the Gaza deal will start this week.

Sa’ar said that Israel will demand a “full demilitarization” of the Gaza Strip, according to The Jerusalem Post newspaper.

The first phase of the Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal has been in place since Jan. 19, pausing Israel’s genocidal war that has killed nearly 48,300 Palestinians and left the enclave in ruins.

Under the agreement, 19 Israeli captives and five Thai workers have so far been released in exchange for 1,135 Palestinian prisoners.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November last year for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.

News

Israel Ready For 2nd Phase Negotiation in Cairo

CrossFireArabia
February 16, 2025

Israel’s Security Cabinet will discuss the second phase of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas, when the negotiating delegation travels to the Egyptian capital of Cairo on Monday.

Israel delayed negotiations for the second phase, which was scheduled to begin 16 days after the agreement went into effect, as Monday will be the 29th day—a 13-day delay.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement on Sunday that he informed US Middle East envoy Steve Whitcoff during a phone call that the Security Cabinet will convene Monday to discuss the second phase of the deal.

According to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Netanyahu’s statement came shortly after Whitcoff said “productive and constructive” discussions had taken place regarding the second phase, despite Netanyahu’s denial of any ongoing negotiations as reported by Anadolu.

“In coordination with Witkoff, Netanyahu has, today, instructed the negotiations team to leave for Cairo tomorrow (Monday) in order to discuss the continued implementation of the first stage of the deal,” the statement added.

The delegation will receive guidance on the second phase after the Security Cabinet meeting, it added.

The announcement comes as Netanyahu faces mounting domestic and international pressure to move forward with the talks.

On Saturday, families of Israeli captives in Gaza held a press conference outside the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, vowing not to let Netanyahu obstruct the second phase for his political interests.

According to Palestinian human rights organizations, Israel is holding more than 10,000 Palestinians in its prisons.

A ceasefire agreement has been in place in Gaza since Jan. 19, halting Israel’s genocidal war, which has killed nearly 48,300 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and left the enclave in ruins.

Nineteen Israeli captives and five Thai workers have been released in exchange for 1,135 Palestinian prisoners under the first phase of the Gaza agreement, which took effect on Jan. 19.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.

Analyses

Al-Falahi: Continual Rockets Confirms Israel’s Military Failure

CrossFireArabia
January 12, 2025

In his military analysis of developments in Gaza Strip, strategic expert Colonel Hatem Al-Falahi, confirms the continual rocket fire from the Gaza Strip reflects the total failure of the Israeli military strategy, despite its unlimited international support.

He was commenting on the sirens in the Kerem Abu Salem area and Sderot and its surroundings, following the launch of Palestinian resistance rockets from the southern Gaza Strip.

Al-Falahi explained these rockets continue within the context of the ongoing Doha negotiations.

The military expert pointed out the continued firing of rockets after more than 15 months of war confirms that Hamas still possesses great military capabilities. He explained this sends a clear message that the resistance forces are preparing themselves for a long-time battle.

With regard to the military operations in the northern Gaza Strip, Al-Falahi stressed on Al Jazeera the continuation of the resistance there, despite the Israeli operation for the last 100 days, proves Israel’s failure to achieve its military goals.

He added the war, despite the great capabilities available to the Israeli occupation army and American and Western support, is unable to break the will of the Palestinian resistance.

A hotbed of depletion

Al-Falahi explained that the northern areas, especially Jabalia and Beit Hanoun, have turned into a “great hotbed of depletion” for the Israeli army.

He pointed to the great developments in the resistance factions’ strategies, as they began to benefit from the unexploded missiles and bombs of the Israeli army whilst employing them in their confrontation operations.

In his assessment of the general military situation, the military expert warned the goals that the Israeli army was unable to achieve in the past period will not be realized as the war extends further.

He especially pointed to the resistance success in retaining the Israeli prisoners, despite the huge capabilities and intelligence gathering available to the occupation army.

Al-Falahi stressed that the confrontations in Gaza have become “highly qualitative and bloody” due to the development of the resistance’s methods, pointing to the ability of the Palestinian factions to adapt to the various circumstances of battle, especially in the areas of the northern Gaza Strip according to Jo.24

News

Israel Kills 200 Palestinians in 3 Days

CrossFireArabia
January 5, 2025

As ceasefire talks resume in Doha, Israeli occupation forces have intensified their attacks on the Gaza Strip. Al Jazeera correspondents report that Israeli forces have killed more than 200 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip in the past three days, with women and children comprising the majority of the victims.

News

Talks Under The Gun

CrossFireArabia
December 9, 2024

Optimistic reports of advancements in negotiations between Israel and Hamas, with Egypt, Qatar, and US mediation, over a ceasefire deal has been reported as Hamas sent Egypt the names of those Israeli prisoners destined to be released during the first phase.

This coincides with intensive Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. In the past 12 hours, Israel killed three people as a result of an airstrike near Halabi Junction in Jabalia Al-Balad, northern Gaza Strip. Israeli quadcopters also fired heavily at citizens attempting to reach their homes in the Safatwi area, west of Jabalia.