Israel readying to start negotiating second stage of ceasefire deal, hostage czar says

Government hostage coordinator Gal Hirsch says Israel is preparing for talks on the second stage of the ceasefire and is determined to bring every hostage home.

“We are at this very moment in preparations for the continuation of negotiations toward the second stage” of the ceasefire-hostage release deal, says Hirsch in a video statement distributed by the Prime Minister’s Office.

The second stage of the three-part deal is supposed to result in the release of all remaining living hostages not included in the first stage — mainly men of fighting age — but the sides must still hash out the number and identities of Palestinian prisoners to be let go as part of the deal.

The talks on the next stage are slated to begin no later than February 3, which is 16 days after the deal went into effect. Netanyahu and Trump are scheduled to meet in the White House on February 4.

“The prime minister’s visit to President Trump and meetings with the US administration will take place simultaneously with the start of negotiations for the second phase of the deal,” Hirsch says. “This is of central importance.”

He expresses “deep sorrow” that it took so long to bring the hostages released today home, promising that “the mission is to return everyone.”

Following a delay in the release of Palestinian prisoners, Hirsch confirms that “the release of the terrorists is being carried out by the Israel Prison Service, Shin Bet and Israel Police in accordance with the agreement and government orders.”

An Israeli official said earlier that the transfers were slated to start at 5 p.m.