KEY POINTS
- US is hosting Qatar, Egypt and Turkiye for talks on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire.
- Hamas says the talks must end Israeli ceasefire violations and allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza.
- Mediators warn that continued breaches threaten the ceasefire.
WASHINGTON: The United States is hosting senior officials from Qatar, Egypt and Turkiye for talks on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, US officials said on Friday, as Israel continued the truce violations.
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is due to meet senior officials from Qatar, Egypt and Turkiye in Miami, Florida, to discuss the future of the agreement, a White House official, cited by Al Jazeera, said.
Meanwhile, Axios reported that the meeting will include Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.
Qatar and Egypt are mediating and guaranteeing the ceasefire, while Turkiye has been involved in regional diplomacy related to Gaza.
Israel reviews next steps
Israel’s public broadcaster reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is holding a restricted security consultation to review the second phase of the ceasefire and possible scenarios.
Quoting an Israeli official, the broadcaster reported that Israel could launch a new military campaign to disarm Hamas if US President Donald Trump were to disengage from the process.
The official added that such a move was unlikely, saying Trump wants to preserve calm in Gaza.
In Washington, Trump said on Thursday that Netanyahu is likely to visit him in Florida during the Christmas holidays.
“Yes, he will probably visit me in Florida. He wants to meet me,” Trump told reporters.
Israel continues attacks
Despite Washington’s insistence that the ceasefire remains in place, Israeli military action has continued, according to Palestinian officials and media.
Al Jazeera reported air strikes, artillery shelling and heavy gunfire across eastern Khan Younis on Friday.
Israeli shelling was also reported in Bani Suheila, east of Khan Younis, inside the “yellow line”, an area Israel was required to withdraw from under the ceasefire.
Al-Aqsa TV said Israeli artillery fire killed at least three Palestinians, including a woman, in eastern Khan Younis. It also reported Israeli naval fire on fishing boats off the coast.
Israeli warplanes were also reported to have struck Deir el-Balah in central Gaza and the Shujayea neighbourhood of Gaza City.
Miami talks must ‘end Israeli violations’
Meanwhile, Hamas said the Miami talks must focus on ending what the Palestinian group described as Israeli violations of the ceasefire.
“Our people expect these talks to result in an agreement to put an end to ongoing Israeli lawlessness, halt all violations and compel the occupation to abide by the Sharm el-Sheikh agreement,” Hamas political bureau member Basem Naim told the AFP news agency.
Naim said the talks should also lead to increased humanitarian aid, the opening of the Rafah crossing in both directions, and the delivery of materials needed for repairs and infrastructure rehabilitation.
He added that discussions should address implementation of the remaining elements of what he called the Trump plan, including reconstruction and a political process allowing Palestinians to govern themselves and pursue an independent state.
Warnings from mediators
Qatar’s prime minister warned on Wednesday that daily breaches of the ceasefire are threatening the agreement.
Following talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, Sheikh Mohammed said delays and violations “endanger the entire process and place mediators in a difficult position”.
The second phase of the ceasefire plan includes a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza and the deployment of an international stabilisation force.
Gaza’s Government Media Office said Israel committed at least 738 violations between October 10 and December 12, including air strikes, shelling and shootings.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said Gaza remains in a “hunger crisis” despite some improvement since the ceasefire began.
In a social media post, he cited a new IPC report showing that while Gaza is no longer classified as being in famine, about 1.6 million people still face high levels of acute food insecurity.
Israel’s war has destroyed more than 80 percent of structures in Gaza, according to local authorities, forcing hundreds of thousands of people into temporary shelters.
Israeli media, citing security officials, reported that Israeli forces intend to maintain control along the “yellow line” and will not withdraw unless Hamas is disarmed.
