MOSCOW - The second phase of talks on a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip will continue in Doha, Qatar this weekend after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed his delegation would attend the event, the Israeli Prime Minister's office said in a statement.
The decision came after Netanyahu held talks in Washington with US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and President Donald Trump's special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.
"Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu met in Washington with US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and President Donald Trump's special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff," Netanyahu's office said in a statement.
The statement also said, "The discussions were constructive in a friendly atmosphere. As a result, Israel is preparing to send a delegation to Doha this weekend to finalize the technical aspects of implementing the ceasefire agreement in Gaza."
After returning from the United States, Netanyahu also plans to hold a security cabinet meeting to discuss Israel's position on the second phase of the agreement, which will guide the next steps in the negotiations, the statement added.
Netanyahu arrived in Washington on Sunday (2/2), making him the first foreign leader to be invited to the White House by a US president since his inauguration.
Israel and Hamas, with mediation from Qatar, Egypt and the United States, agreed to a 42-day ceasefire on January 15.
Both sides expressed their intention to end hostilities that have killed more than 47,500 Palestinians and about 1,500 Israelis in the past 15 months.
The conflict also spread to Lebanon and Yemen and sparked missile attacks between Israel and Iran.
The first phase of the deal includes a limited prisoner exchange, the withdrawal of Israeli troops to the Gaza border, and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Meanwhile, the second and third stages are still under negotiation.