Discussions over phase two of the hostage deal with Hamas will begin in the coming days, according to an Israeli source who spoke to The Jerusalem Post.
The statement came following Tuesday’s announcement that the six remaining living hostages scheduled for release in phase one will all be freed on Saturday, while the bodies of eight hostages who were killed in Hamas captivity will be returned starting on Thursday.
“The agreements reached today by the Israeli delegation in Cairo effectively bring phase one of the deal to a close,” the source said, adding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu succeeded in both shortening the release phases and ensuring the full implementation of phase one – something that many doubted would happen.
Hamas has already made clear that in exchange for the rest of the hostages it is holding as part of phase two, it demands an end to the war.
Israeli officials have insisted, however, that they will not agree to end the fighting as long as Hamas remains in Gaza in any form. “This is not going to be easy,” a diplomat familiar with the negotiations told the Post.
Changing face of negotiating delegations
The negotiations for phase two will be led by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer. Until now, the primary negotiators were Mossad Director David Barnea, Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, and Maj.-Gen. (res.) Nitzan Alon. Now Dermer – one of Netanyahu’s closest confidants – will take charge of the talks.
“The negotiating team will also include senior officials from the Shin Bet, Mossad, and IDF,” an Israeli source told the Post, effectively confirming that those previously in charge have been sidelined.Since the next phase is a political one, dealing with the conditions for ending the war, the prime minister has decided that Dermer should lead the negotiations alongside US special envoy Steve Witkoff, the source added. Witkoff, the US envoy to the Middle East, will now oversee the talks.
“The focus is shifting to him. Witkoff will engage with all parties and coordinate the negotiations,” a source told the Post. “Of course, there will still be working-level delegations traveling to Qatar and Egypt, but they will no longer be the central players.”