February 10, 2025 – Doha – An Israeli delegation has arrived in Qatar for another round of indirect talks with Hamas to discuss the next phase of the ceasefire in Gaza. The discussions come as Israel completes its withdrawal from a key crossing point in the enclave, fulfilling a major condition of the truce.
The ceasefire, brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, began on January 19 and is set to last six weeks. Under the deal, Hamas has so far released 33 Israeli hostages, while Israel has freed nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees.
However, a source from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed that the current discussions in Qatar will only focus on technical aspects and not larger political issues—such as who will govern Gaza once the conflict ends.
Trump’s Controversial Proposal on Gaza
The talks also come amid a growing controversy over former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal that Gaza should come under U.S. administration and that Palestinians be relocated elsewhere. The idea, which Trump suggested last week, faced immediate backlash, with critics condemning it as an attempt at “ethnic cleansing.”
Although Israeli officials have welcomed Trump’s idea, the proposal has been strongly rejected by several Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt.
Israel Withdraws from Netzarim Corridor
As part of the ceasefire agreement, Israel on Sunday completed its withdrawal from the Netzarim Corridor, a strategic 6-kilometer strip that cuts across Gaza, separating the north from the south. The corridor had been under Israeli control for months, blocking movement between the two regions.
With Israeli forces pulling out, thousands of Palestinians streamed through the area, attempting to return to their homes in the war-torn north. Many found their neighborhoods reduced to rubble, forcing some to set up makeshift shelters.
Meanwhile, Hamas police forces have re-established their presence in the corridor, controlling traffic and securing the area. Analysts suggest this move is meant to send a message that Hamas remains in control, despite months of Israeli military operations.
Rising Tensions Amid the Ceasefire
Despite the truce, violence has not completely stopped. On Sunday, four Palestinians—including an elderly woman—were killed in two separate incidents in Khan Yunis and Gaza City, according to local medics.
The Israeli military confirmed that its soldiers fired warning shots at “several suspects”, hitting multiple individuals near Gaza City. However, it did not comment on the separate incident in which the elderly woman was reportedly killed.
The Human Cost of War
The war, which began in October 2023 following a Hamas attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages, has left Gaza devastated. According to Palestinian health officials, more than 48,000 people have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory strikes, most of them civilians.
As ceasefire talks continue in Qatar, the world watches closely to see if both sides can move toward a long-term resolution—or if violence will return once again.