---
title: "Israel to begin negotiations on second phase of Gaza ceasefire deal, minister says"
description: "JERUSALEM, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Israel will begin negotiations on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal, including an exchange of the remaining Israeli hostages with Palestinian detainees, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Tuesday, adding that Israel demanded a complete demilitarisation of the enclave."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Middle East conflict"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-02-18-israel-to-begin-negotiations-on-second-phase-of-gaza-ceasefire-deal-minister-says/"
published: "2025-02-18T13:37:47"
updated: "2025-02-18T13:37:49"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 144
---

# Israel to begin negotiations on second phase of Gaza ceasefire deal, minister says

> JERUSALEM, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Israel will begin negotiations on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal, including an exchange of the remaining Israeli hostages with Palestinian detainees, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Tuesday, adding that Israel demanded a complete demilitarisation of the enclave.

By Reuters · Published 18 February 2025, 15:37 SAST · Updated 18 February 2025, 15:37 SAST

## Key points
- As negotiations for Gaza's future dangle in limbo, Israel insists on a demilitarized paradise free of both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, while eyeing Arab plans like a kid in a candy store—just not the sour ones.
- Qatar indicates that negotiations for the second phase of the deal have not yet begun, despite the first phase ending soon.
- Israeli officials reject a "Hezbollah model" for Gaza, demanding complete demilitarisation and no Palestinian Authority presence.
- An alternative plan from Arab states to redevelop Gaza is acknowledged by Israel, as PM Netanyahu sees potential in it.
- Israel opposes any transfer of control in Gaza from Hamas to the Palestinian Authority, insisting on a different governance structure.

## Content

Negotiations for the [second phase of the deal](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL8N3OA1GI&linkedFromStory=true) were supposed to be under way before the first phase ends on March 2, but Qatar said the talks have not officially started yet.

A "Hezbollah model" in Gaza would not be acceptable to Israel "and therefore we need a total demilitarisation of Gaza and no presence of the Palestinian Authority", Saar said in a press conference.

He added that Israel was aware of an alternative plan by Arab states for Gaza, made to counter U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to redevelop the strip under U.S. control, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said is worthy of exploration.

Israel would not support a plan that would see civilian control of Gaza transferred from Hamas to the Palestinian authority, Saar added.

(Reporting by James Mackenzie; Writing by Nayera Abdallah; Editing by Ed Osmond and Alison Williams)