Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced on Tuesday that negotiations for the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire will begin soon, as the government led by Benjamin Netanyahu pushes for the complete demilitarisation of Gaza. Although these talks were expected to take place before the first phase ends on March 2, mediator Qatar revealed that discussions have not yet started.
Saar emphasized that Israel would not accept a “Hezbollah model” in Gaza, adding, “We need a total demilitarisation of Gaza and no presence of the Palestinian Authority.” The second phase, like the first, will involve the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian detainees.
He also revealed that Israel was aware of an alternative plan by Arab states for Gaza, which was created to counter US President Donald Trump’s proposal to redevelop the strip under US control. Netanyahu has expressed interest in exploring this plan.
Regarding Gaza’s governance, Saar stated that Israel would not back a plan that transfers civilian control from Hamas to the Palestinian Authority.
Meanwhile, Israeli troops completed their withdrawal from all but five points in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, allowing displaced residents to return to their villages, many of which had been destroyed in over a year of fighting. Alaa al-Zein, returning to Kfar Kila, described the destruction, saying, “The entire village has been reduced to rubble. It’s a disaster zone.”
Before the pullout deadline, Israel confirmed it would maintain troops at “five strategic points” near the border. Defence Minister Israel Katz reiterated this deployment on Tuesday and warned of action against any violations by the militant group Hezbollah.
