Hamas says efforts continue to advance Gaza peace talks

Hamas said on Tuesday that Egyptian and Qatari mediators are continuing efforts to finalize the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and initiate the second phase of negotiations.

In a press statement, Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif Al-Qanou said that Egyptian and Qatari mediators have been working to complete the ceasefire agreement and move forward with the second phase of negotiations.

"There are positive signs in this regard," said Al-Qanou, adding that Hamas is prepared to engage in upcoming negotiations in a manner that meets the demands of the Palestinian people.

According to Al-Qanou, a Hamas leadership delegation arrived in Cairo on Monday and discussed mechanisms for initiating the second phase of negotiations. The first 42-day phase of the truce deal expired in early March without agreement on subsequent stages meant to secure a lasting end to the war, which erupted after Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

There are differing views on how to proceed, with Hamas seeking immediate negotiations for the next phase, while Israel wants to extend the first phase.

Hamas has accused Israel of reneging on the ceasefire deal, saying in a statement on Monday that Israel "refuses to commence the second phase, exposing its intentions of evasion and stalling."

Ahead of the current round of talks, Israel halted the supply of electricity to Gaza's only desalination plant, a move Hamas condemned as "cheap and unacceptable blackmail." Besides, Israel has already stopped aid deliveries to Gaza amid the deadlock over the ceasefire.

In recent days, Israel has also conducted daily strikes targeting militants in Gaza. On Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike killed four men in Gaza City, according to the territory's civil defense agency.

The Israeli military said that its air forces had struck "several terrorists engaged in suspicious activity posing a threat to IDF (Israeli) troops."

Senior Hamas leader Abdul Rahman Shadid stated in a televised conference that Israel continues its "criminal policies" against Palestinians in the West Bank, Jerusalem and Gaza.

He accused Israel of killings, displacement, mass arrests, blocking food and medical aid and closing border crossings – worsening the humanitarian crisis in the Strip.

Shadid highlighted that Israel's military operation in Jenin and its refugee camp has entered its 51st day, while similar actions in Tulkarm and its camps, Nour Shams and Tulkarm, have continued for 43 days.

He described these operations as part of Israel's broader strategy to expand settlements and impose a new reality on Palestinian territories.

He also expressed hope that U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff would help "initiate negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement".

"The U.S. administration bears responsibility due to its unwavering support for the occupying (Israeli) government."

In recent days, U.S. hostages envoy Adam Boehler held unprecedented direct talks with Hamas and said an agreement for releasing more captives was expected "in the coming weeks."

But U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio talked down the prospects of a breakthrough from those discussions.

"That was a one-off situation in which our special envoy for hostages, whose job it is to get people released, had an opportunity to talk directly to someone who has control over these people and was given permission and encouraged to do so," Rubio told journalists late on Monday in Jeddah.

"It hasn't borne fruit. But it doesn't mean he was wrong to try."

(With input from agencies)