Talks resume in Cairo on next phase of Israel-Hamas ceasefire

Talks resumed in Cairo on Friday regarding the second phase of an Israel-Hamas ceasefire, with mediators hoping to bring a lasting end to the Gaza conflict.

This follows a day after Israel’s military acknowledged its “complete failure” to prevent the Hamas attack in 2023, which sparked the ongoing war. “Too many civilians died that day asking themselves in their hearts or out loud, where was the IDF?” the official said, referring to the military.

Egypt confirmed that delegations from Israel, Qatar, and the US had arrived in Cairo to engage in "intensive" discussions on the next steps of the truce.

“The relevant parties have begun intensive talks to discuss the next phases of the truce agreement, amid ongoing efforts to ensure the implementation of the previously agreed understandings,” said Egypt’s State Information Service.

The first phase of ceasefire is set to expire on Saturday.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office dispatched negotiators to Cairo after Hamas handed over the remains of four hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners under the first phase of the ceasefire.

An internal Israeli military report, released on Thursday, acknowledged the military’s "complete failure" to prevent the October 7 attack, noting that the IDF had been "overconfident" and misjudged Hamas's capabilities. Israel has killed more than 48,000 people in Gaza, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, figures the UN has deemed reliable.

The report’s release has added fuel to domestic criticism of Netanyahu’s handling of the war, including the hostage crisis. Many of the hostages captured during the attack were held by Hamas, and their return has been a key goal of the conflict.

On Thursday, a final prisoner swap under the initial truce was carried out, with Israel releasing around 643 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the remains of the four hostages.

Among the released prisoners was Nael Barghouti, the longest-serving Palestinian prisoner in Israel, who had been incarcerated for over four decades.

"We were in hell and we came out of hell. Today is my real day of birth," said one of the freed prisoners, Yahya Shraideh.

Following the handover, an Israeli campaign group confirmed the identities of the four bodies, which included Ohad Yahalomi, Tsachi Idan, Itzik Elgarat, and Shlomo Mansour. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum confirmed the tragic loss, with emotional reactions from the families, particularly from the relatives of Tsachi Idan, who had hoped for his return alive.

The next phase of ceasefire talks will continue to address critical issues, including the release of more prisoners and the implementation of further measures to secure a lasting peace. Hamas has called for Israel to return to delayed talks, stating, "We have cut off the path before the enemy’s false justifications, and it has no choice but to start negotiations for the second phase."

These discussions come at a crucial time as both sides attempt to solidify agreements and prevent further escalation of the conflict, which has already resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.