On the evening of February 16th, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu held an emergency security meeting on matters related to the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Defense Minister Katz, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Delmer, and representatives of the negotiation team also attended the meeting. Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu hopes to accelerate the release of the remaining six detainees in the first phase. It is reported that Netanyahu hopes to extend the first phase of the agreement beyond the originally scheduled 42 day deadline (which expires on March 1), and strive to release more detainees, especially those with deteriorating health conditions. Netanyahu also plans to convey his position to mediators such as Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, emphasizing that extending the first phase is in the interest of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) as it will ensure a longer ceasefire.
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