An Israeli military vehicles drives along a damaged street during a military raid in the al-Fara camp in Jenin on Sunday --AFP JERUSALEM, Feb 02 (Reuters/AFP): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will start negotiations on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire when he meets with US President Donald Trump's Middle East Envoy, Steve Witkoff, on Monday in Washington, Netanyahu's office said late on Saturday.
Netanyahu is scheduled to depart Israel on Sunday for Washington, where he is to meet next week with Trump at the White House to discuss Gaza and the Israeli hostages held there.
During his meeting with Witkoff, Netanyahu will discuss Israel's positions in respect to the ceasefire, the prime minister's office said. Witkoff will then speak with officials from Egypt and Qatar, who have mediated between Israel and Hamas over the past 15 months with backing from Washington.
Palestine ready to work
with friendly countries
President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas sent an address to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, where he confirmed the commitment to work with friendly countries for the accelerated restoration of the Gaza Strip.
"President Abbas confirmed his commitment to work with allied and friendly nations to expedite the recovery of the Gaza Strip under governance of the Palestinian Authority and to support its [Gaza Strip - TASSA] connection to the West Bank," WAFA news agency said.
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