Israel to reopen Gaza ceasefire talks on August 15

On Thursday, Gaza’s Hamas-controlled civil defense reported that Israeli airstrikes on two schools killed over 18 people. Iran has accused Israel of trying to widen the conflict across the Middle East.
After a brief hiatus in November, mediators from the US, Qatar, and Egypt have been working to secure a second truce in the 10-month-old war, which began after Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, AFP reports.
In a joint statement, the leaders of the three countries urged both sides to resume talks on August 15 in either Doha or Cairo to finalize and implement the agreement promptly. They indicated that a framework agreement is ready, with only the specifics of its implementation left to negotiate.
Netanyahu's office confirmed that Israel will send a negotiating team on August 15 to finalize the deal’s details.
The proposed ceasefire deal involves a phased approach, including an initial truce, the release of hostages held in Gaza, and increased aid deliveries. Recent discussions have centered around a framework suggested by US President Joe Biden in late May, which he indicated had been proposed by Israel.
A senior Biden administration official noted that while significant work remains before an agreement can be signed, Israel has shown a positive response to the negotiations, dismissing claims that Netanyahu is delaying the process.
The talks' announcement coincided with Hamas’s appointment of Yahya Sinwar, the alleged mastermind behind the October 7 attack, as its new leader, which may complicate the already challenging negotiations.