Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer will head negotiations for the second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, Israel’s Channel 12 News reported on Tuesday. Mossad chief David Barnea led previous rounds.
The Israeli outlet reported earlier this month that Barnea would still engage with Qatari and Egyptian mediators under Dermer’s guidance.
Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) director Ronen Bar is no longer part of the negotiating team, Kan News reported on Monday. His former deputy is reportedly replacing him in the discussions. Sources told the public broadcaster that he could join phase two talks, however.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told reporters on Tuesday that Jerusalem had decided to start talks on Phase 2 of the agreement.
As part of the talks set to begin later this week, the Israeli government will demand the complete disarmament of Iranian-backed Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist organizations in Gaza, the minister stressed.
