{"id":14137,"date":"2025-03-11T20:10:48","date_gmt":"2025-03-11T20:10:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.watanserb.com\/en\/?p=14137"},"modified":"2025-03-11T20:10:48","modified_gmt":"2025-03-11T20:10:48","slug":"hamas-announces-start-of-a-new-round-of-ceasefire-talks-in-gaza","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.watanserb.com\/en\/2025\/03\/11\/hamas-announces-start-of-a-new-round-of-ceasefire-talks-in-gaza\/","title":{"rendered":"Hamas Announces Start of a New Round of Ceasefire Talks in Gaza"},"content":{"rendered":"

Watan<\/strong><\/em>-Hamas announced on Tuesday evening the start of a new round of ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, affirming its “responsible and positive approach” and expressing hope for “tangible progress toward the second phase of talks, paving the way for ending the aggression and securing the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.”<\/p>\n

The statement was made by Hamas official Abdul Rahman Shadeed and published on the movement\u2019s official digital platforms.<\/p>\n

Shadeed confirmed that Hamas had “initiated a new round of ceasefire negotiations today,” emphasizing the group’s commitment to engaging “responsibly and positively” in discussions, including those with U.S. envoy for hostage affairs, Adam Boehler.<\/p>\n

“We hope this round will lead to tangible progress toward the second phase of negotiations, paving the way for ending the aggression, ensuring Israel\u2019s withdrawal from Gaza, and finalizing a prisoner exchange deal,” he added.<\/p>\n

\"Hamas
The ceasefire agreement<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Israeli Stalling in Doha Talks<\/h3>\n

Following Israel\u2019s decision to send a negotiating delegation to Doha on Monday, the Qatari capital is now hosting indirect talks between Israel and Hamas. The negotiations follow prolonged delays from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has resisted moving to the second phase of the Gaza agreement\u2014an essential step toward ending the war.<\/p>\n

The first phase of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement, mediated by Qatar and Egypt with U.S. backing, concluded on March 1, 2025. It began on January 19, 2025. However, Netanyahu has refused to proceed with the next stage, seeking to secure the release of additional Israeli captives without fulfilling Israel\u2019s obligations\u2014chiefly, ending the war and withdrawing from Gaza.<\/p>\n

On March 8, Netanyahu claimed Hamas rejected a U.S. proposal for a temporary ceasefire during Ramadan and Passover. He used this assertion to justify Israel\u2019s continued blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza, which began on March 2, a move widely condemned as a war crime under international law.<\/p>\n

\"The
Gaza ceasefire agreement<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Escalation in the West Bank<\/h3>\n

Shadeed also warned of Israeli plans targeting the West Bank, accusing Israel of attempting to displace Palestinians, destroy towns, villages, and refugee camps, and erase their historical and demographic identity as part of the so-called “Greater Jerusalem” colonial project.<\/p>\n

He highlighted Israel\u2019s recent approval of 2,684 new settlement units, calling it a significant escalation in illegal settlement expansion that threatens Palestinian existence in the West Bank.<\/p>\n

Additionally, he noted Israel\u2019s ongoing military operations, stating:<\/p>\n