Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to start the negotiation process of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire when he meets with US President Donald Trump’s Middle East Envoy, Steve Witkoff, in Washington on Monday. Netanyahu will leave Israel on Sunday for the meeting where the two will discuss Israel’s position on the ceasefire and the current hostages’ situation in Gaza.
The ceasefire is implemented in three phases, between Israel and Hamas, which they agreed on last month. That has stopped the fighting in Gaza, Hamas freed 18 hostages for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners but still holds more than 70 hostages in Gaza.
After the meeting with Netanyahu, Witkoff will also be meeting officials from Egypt and Qatar, who have been key facilitators in Israeli-Hamas dialogue, with assistance from Washington. The talks are important as both parties continue to navigate the tense situation in Gaza, where the situation remains very volatile.