Israel to send team to Doha as Hamas seeks phase II talks

Humanitarian aid entry and hostage deal key in focus for both parties

GAZA CITY — Israel on Sunday prepared to send a delegation to Doha for further talks on the Gaza truce, as Hamas called for an immediate start to negotiations on the cease-fire's second phase, which it hopes will lead to a permanent end to the conflict.

Representatives of the Palestinian militant group met with mediators in Cairo over the weekend, stressing the urgent need for humanitarian aid to reenter the besieged territory "without restrictions or conditions", according to a Hamas statement.

"Hamas stresses the urgency of forcing the occupation to immediately begin second-phase negotiations under the agreed parameters," senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Mardawi told AFP, adding this would pave the way for a permanent end to the conflict.