Qatar's Foreign Ministry announced the second phase of talks on the Gaza conflict on February 3

The second stage of negotiations between the parties to the conflict in the Gaza Strip will be held on February 3. This was announced by the official representative of the Qatari Foreign Ministry Majid bin Mohammed al-Ansari on January 28.

"The second stage of negotiations will begin on the 16th day of the ceasefire implementation," he said at a press conference, his words quoted by TASS.

He also noted that no real violations of the ceasefire deal have been recorded. According to him, mediators are closely monitoring the fulfillment of the ceasefire provisions by the parties.

Among other things, the Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman stressed that an agreement was reached to release hostage Arbel Yehud by Friday, January 31. At the same time, al-Ansari clarified that the specific timeframe for her release, along with the other two hostages, is unknown.

Israel and Hamas have agreed on a ceasefire. What the media say

The ceasefire regime in the Gaza Strip began to operate in the morning of January 19. At the same time, the radical Palestinian movement Hamas handed over three Israeli hostages - Romy Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher - to Red Cross representatives. Afterward, on January 25, Hamas handed over four more Israeli hostages to the Red Cross, who were flown home. In response, Israel released the Palestinian prisoners.

On January 27, Hamas Politburo Deputy Chairman Musa Abu Marzouk announced the organization's willingness to engage in dialogue with U.S. authorities.

The agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza became known on January 15. The next day, the Defense Ministry and the Israel Defense Forces began preparations for the implementation of the agreements, which the government approved on January 17 following a six-hour meeting.

The situation in the Middle East escalated on the morning of October 7, 2023, when Hamas subjected Israeli territory to a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. On the same day, Israel began to launch retaliatory strikes.