Financial fraud within Nigeria's banking sector has seen an alarming increase, with losses escalating from N11 billion to N52 billion in just four years, according to recent data released by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS).

In a comprehensive analysis published Wednesday, NIBSS revealed that fraud-related losses reached N52.3 billion in 2024, representing a nearly fivefold increase from the N11.6 billion recorded in 2020. The report further disclosed that cybercriminals attempted to steal a staggering N86.4 billion in 2024 alone.

"The amount lost to fraud has increased over the past five years alongside the growth of financial transactions in the digital payments sector," NIBSS stated in its report.

The analysis highlighted sophisticated fraud techniques employed by perpetrators, including diverting stolen funds to gift cards and creating fraudulent accounts using stolen identities of vulnerable groups such as senior citizens, minors, and foreigners. "Over 400 million naira were received in accounts opened with the stolen identities of senior citizens," the report detailed.

NIBSS confirmed that recovery efforts are underway for some of the stolen funds, and investigations are currently proceeding against implicated banking staff.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to N825 per litre. This latest price cut was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by Esan Sunday, Head of Media Relations and Branding Communications at Dangote Group.

The adjustment comes just over three weeks after the refinery lowered petrol prices from N950 to N890 per litre. With this new reduction, the ex-depot price has dropped by N125 since January, when it stood at N950 per litre. According to the statement, the new pricing will enable Nigerians to purchase petrol at pump prices ranging between N860 and N865 per litre in Lagos.

The refinery attributed the price reduction to its commitment to easing the financial burden on Nigerians, particularly during the Ramadan season.

This marks the second time in February 2025 that Dangote Refinery has reduced PMS prices, following an earlier cut of N60 at the beginning of the month. Additionally, in December 2024, the refinery lowered petrol prices by N70.50, from N970 to N899.50 per litre, as part of its efforts to support Nigerians during the holiday season.

The refinery emphasized that its consistent price reductions have positively impacted the cost of living and benefited various sectors of the economy. It also highlighted the high quality of its refined petroleum products, which have gained popularity both domestically and internationally.

Dangote Refinery assured the public of a steady supply of petroleum products, with sufficient reserves to meet local demand and a surplus for export, thereby contributing to the country’s foreign exchange earnings. The refinery urged marketers to support the initiative, ensuring that Nigerians remain the primary beneficiaries of its efforts.

The refinery’s products are distributed nationwide through key partners, including MRS Holdings, Ardova Petroleum (AP), and Heyden.

Four female students from Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University (JOSTUM) in Makurdi were abducted Tuesday evening while heading to study, triggering campus protests and a temporary university shutdown.

According to witnesses, the incident occurred around 8:30pm when armed men intercepted the students—identified as Emmanuella, Fola, Susan, and Ella—as they traveled from Zamfara Hostel to a lecture hall near the North Core campus area. The students were ambushed before reaching the ring road.

A student speaking anonymously reported that five armed assailants surrounded the victims and demanded they follow them. When the students attempted to escape into nearby bushes while calling for help, the kidnappers threatened to shoot, forcing them to surrender. Two additional students reportedly managed to escape during the confrontation.

The abduction sparked widespread protests across campus on Wednesday, with students gathering outside their hostels demanding immediate action. "This is unacceptable," one protester stated. Another student, identified only as Mary, expressed the growing fear among the student body: "We live in constant fear. If we can't even move freely to read at night, then how are we supposed to focus on our studies?"

Police spokesperson Catherine Anene confirmed the incident but reported that two students were kidnapped, while university authorities stated in an official release that three students were abducted. Following emergency meetings with security agencies and stakeholders, the university administration announced a one-week mid-semester break.

"All students are to vacate their hostels before 4:00 PM today, Wednesday, 26th February, 2025," stated university Registrar John David, adding that "security agencies are working tirelessly to effect the release of the abducted students."

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU-FUAM) condemned the rising insecurity on campus and expressed solidarity with affected students and parents. Union chairman Paul Igber Anyagh called for urgent security improvements, noting previous incidents including the kidnapping of a staff member at university quarters.

This marks the third kidnapping incident at the institution in recent years. In May 2024, two female students were abducted along the North Bank/UniAgric road in Makurdi, and in 2021, three students were forcibly taken at gunpoint while studying at the College of Engineering premises.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Hamas hands over bodies of four hostages, Israel frees Palestinian prisoners

Hamas handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages while it waited for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners to be released by Israel in return, in an overnight exchange marking the final swap as part of a fragile truce in Gaza.

The ceasefire came into effect on January 19 and has largely held, despite numerous setbacks. But its first phase is due to end this week and the fate of its next phase, which aims to end the war, remains unclear. Hamas said that it has not received any proposals so far.

After days of impasse, Egyptian mediators secured the handover of the bodies of the final four hostages in the deal's first phase, for 620 Palestinians either detained by Israeli forces in Gaza or jailed in Israel.

Israel had refused to release prisoners on Saturday after Hamas handed over six hostages in a staged ceremony.

Hamas had been displaying living hostages and coffins carrying hostage remains on stage in front of a crowd in Gaza before handing them over, to sharp criticism including from the United Nations.

The final handover did not include such a ceremony.

Israel received coffins carrying the remains of the four hostages, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in the early hours of Thursday.

Hamas had previously identified the bodies as those of Tsachi Idan, Itzhak Elgarat, Ohad Yahalomi and Shlomo Mantzur, all of whom were abducted during the October 7, 2023 attack from their kibbutz homes near Gaza.

The bodies were undergoing initial identification in Israeli territory and official notice would be given to the hostages' families once the process is complete, Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

The handover agreement had also been held up previously after Hamas handed over the remains of an unidentified woman instead of Shiri Bibas, before delivering the correct body the next day.

A full forensic examination to determine cause of death for the final four will come later, according to the Israeli health ministry.

Around 30 hostages have been killed in Gaza, according to Israeli authorities. Some were slain by their captors and some were killed in Israel's offences.

FREED PALESTINIAN DETAINEES

The Palestinian detainees due to be released include 445 men and 24 women and minors arrested in Gaza, as well as 151 prisoners serving life sentences for deadly attacks on Israelis, according to a Hamas source.

A bus carrying some of the released Palestinian prisoners left Israel's Ofer prison in the occupied West Bank and arrived in the Palestinian city of Ramallah a few minutes later, live footage showed.

The group got off the bus to cheers from hundreds congregated outside, with some of the released men - clad in green jackets and keffiyehs - hoisted aloft by the crowd.

Released prisoner Bilal Yassin, 42, told Reuters he had been in Israeli detention for 20 years. The West Bank native said he had faced oppression and poor conditions the entire time.

"Our sacrifices and imprisonment were not in vain," Yassin said. "We had confidence in the (Palestinian) resistance."

It was not immediately clear when the next detainees would be released.

The first phase of the ceasefire included the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages in total for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from some positions in Gaza as well as an influx of aid.

But with the 42-day truce due to expire on Saturday, it remains unclear whether an extension that could see more of the 59 remaining hostages go free will happen or whether negotiations can begin on a second stage of the deal.

Reuters

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Trump confirms Zelenskiy visit to sign Ukraine minerals deal

U.S. President Donald Trump said Volodymyr Zelenskiy would visit Washington on Friday to sign an agreement on rare earth minerals, while the Ukrainian leader said the success of the deal would hinge on those talks and continued U.S. aid.

Under the deal, which Ukraine's prime minister has called "preliminary," Kyiv would hand some revenue from its mineral resources to a fund jointly controlled by the U.S. The agreement is central to Ukrainian attempts to win strong support from Trump as he seeks a quick end to Russia's war. U.S.-Russian talks that have so far excluded Kyiv were set to continue on Thursday.

Trump said Zelenskiy would sign the agreement on rare earths and other topics during his visit, but suggested Washington would not make far-reaching security guarantees.

Kyiv has been seeking U.S. security guarantees as part of the deal, cast by Trump as a payment for U.S. aid to Kyiv during the war. Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

"I'm not going to make security guarantees beyond - very much. We're going to have Europe do that," Trump said, without elaborating.

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Zelenskiy, speaking in his nightly video address, said his talks with Trump would stress the importance obtaining security guarantees "to ensure that Russia no longer destroys the lives of other nations" and added that continued U.S. aid was vital.

"For me and for all of us in the world, it is important that American aid is not halted. Strength is needed on the path to peace," he said.

Last week, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson said there was "no appetite" for another funding bill for Ukraine. Johnson's comments came a day after Trump called Zelenskiy a "dictator" and warned he must move quickly to secure peace with Russia or risk losing his country.

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On Wednesday, Zelenskiy said the most important thing was that the current draftagreement did not portray Ukraine as a debtor that would have to pay back hundreds of billions of dollars for past military assistance.

"This agreement could be part of future security guarantees... an agreement is an agreement, but we need to understand the broader vision," he said.

"This deal could be a great success or it could pass quietly. And the big success depends on our conversation with President Trump."

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Zelenskiy said it would be a success if the U.S. provides security guarantees for Ukraine, which wants protection from future Russian attacks if a peace deal is reached.

Trump has repeatedly claimed the U.S. has sent $350 billion to Ukraine, without explaining the figure. Congress has approved $175 billion in assistance since Russia’s full-scale invasion began three years ago.

Fighting has continued during the flurry of diplomacy, with Ukraine frequently coming under attack from Russian missiles and drones in Europe's deadliest conflict since World War Two.

QUESTIONS OVER WASHINGTON TRIP

Trump said on Tuesday that Zelenskiy wanted to come to Washington on Friday to sign a "very big deal."

Trump has been fiercely critical of Zelenskiy as the U.S. president has upended Washington's policy on the war and ended a campaign to isolate Russia.

Trump spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 12 and a Russian-U.S. meeting took place in Saudi Arabia on February 18.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russian and U.S. diplomats would meet in Istanbul on Thursday to discuss resolving bilateral disputes that are part of a wider dialogue the sides see as crucial to ending the Ukraine war.

Lavrov again ruled out "any options" for European peacekeepers being sent to Ukraine. Trump has said some form of peacekeeping troops are needed in Ukraine if an agreement to end the conflict is struck.

"Nobody has asked us about this," Lavrov said during a visit to Qatar.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to meet Trump on Thursday and on Sunday will host leaders of France, Italy, Germany, Poland and other allies to discuss their response to Trump's moves.

European leaders, including Starmer, held an emergency meeting in Paris this month where they were split on the idea of deploying peacekeepers to Ukraine.

'PRELIMINARY' AGREEMENT

A copy of a draft agreement, seen by Reuters and dated February 25, said: "The Government of the United States of America supports Ukraine's efforts to obtain security guarantees needed to establish lasting peace."

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Washington would commit to supporting Kyiv's efforts to obtain security guarantees under the finalised deal. The Americans offered no security pledges of their own.

Shmyhal said Ukraine was giving its approval to the agreed wording so it could be signed and described it as a "preliminary" agreement.

"After the Ukrainian president and the U.S. president agree on security guarantees, agree on how we tie this preliminary agreement to security guarantees from the United States for our country, in the presence of (both) presidents, a representative of the Ukrainian government will sign this preliminary agreement," he said.

In a comment aimed at calming the fears of worried Ukrainians, Shmyhal said Ukraine would never "sign or consider ... a colonial treaty that did not take into account the interests of the state."

Shmyhal, outlining the agreement in televised comments, said Kyiv would contribute 50% of "all proceeds received from the future monetisation of all relevant state-owned natural resource assets and relevant infrastructure."

Those proceeds would go into a fund under joint U.S.-Ukrainian control, he said, adding that no decision about the governance of the fund could be taken without Kyiv's agreement.

"Already existing deposits, facilities, licenses and rents are not subject to discussion when creating this fund," he added.

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

US to ‘get back’ money spent on aid to Kiev – Trump

The US is going to “get back” the money it has spent on military and financial assistance to Kiev through the upcoming mineral deal with Ukraine, President Donald Trump said on Wednesday ahead of his first cabinet meeting. Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky will travel to Washington on Friday to sign the agreement, Trump added.

Trump had initially demanded the equivalent of up to $500 billion worth of natural resources as compensation for the aid provided to Kiev. Washington then proposed a deal that would grant the US sweeping rights to Ukraine’s reserves of natural resources as a form of compensation.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Trump said that the Ukrainian leader “is going to be coming on Friday” and “that is now confirmed.” The two sides are expected to sign what the US president described as a “very big agreement” that will cover Ukraine’s reserves of rare earth metals among other things.

Trump doubled down on his claim that the US had spent $350 billion on various forms of assistance to Kiev, adding that “we’ve been able to make a deal where we're going to get our money back and we're going to get a lot of money in the future.” American taxpayers “should not be footing the bill” for assisting Ukraine, he added.

The US president did not reveal the parameters of the future agreement.

Earlier on Wednesday, Zelensky confirmed to journalists that Ukraine and the US had agreed on a “framework” deal on the nation’s minerals. He insisted that the document does not include any mention of Ukrainian “debt” to the US “either amounting to $350 billion or $100 billion.”According to Zelensky, the agreement also says nothing about Kiev being obliged to compensate US expenditures on aiding Ukraine in a ratio of “2 to 1.”

The Ukrainian government reviewed and greenlighted the agreement on Wednesday, according to Prime Minister Denis Shmigal, who called it “an important step towards implementing a victory plan.” The Ukrainian media outlets Strana.ua and Evropeiskaya Pravda published what they claimed was the text of the future agreement.

According to the publications, Ukraine and the US will create a joint fund to which 50% of all revenues from the future development of Ukraine’s natural resources will accrue. Already existing enterprises are exempt from the arrangement. The accumulated assets can be used for investment in the Ukrainian economy “at least once a year,” according to the reports. In exchange, the US will reportedly “assume long-term financial obligations to develop a stable and … prosperous Ukraine.”

Washington will not offer any security guarantees to Kiev under the agreement and will only “support its efforts” to secure such guarantees in the future, the reports said. Strana.ua criticized the document as too vague and full of loopholes that could be exploited by either side.

Reuters/RT

It's an item that most people use at least twice a day.  

But you might look at your toothbrush a bit differently after reading this.

Samuel Choudhury, a doctor based in Singapore, has revealed the disgusting mistake too many of us continue making with our toothbrushes. 

According to the expert, many people still store their toothbrush next to their toilet. 

While this might be practical, it can also expose your toothbrush to everything from faeces, to bacteria, and viruses. 

'Did you know that flushing the toilet can send bacteria flying up to 6 feet in the air?' he said. 

'If your toothbrush is chilling next to your toilet, you might be brushing with more than just toothpaste!'

While you might think that a toothbrush cover would do the trick, Choudhury also explains why these are a no-go. 

Choudhury cites a 2015 study which analysed the germs on toothbrushes in a shared dormitory. 

'When they did a study at a dormitory, they found 60 per cent of the toothbrushes contained fecal matter,' he said. 

Toothbrush covers only make matters worse, the expert added. 

'You may think that this will keep it safe, because it is closed off from aerosolised particles,' he said, while showing a toothbrush cover on screen. 

'Think again. Research has shown that keeping a toothbrush in a closed container increases the bacteria load because it gives a very good environment for bacteria to grow. 

Thankfully, Dr Choudhury has also revealed the easy ways to keep your toothbrush clean and safe. 

'Number One, always keep them upright, so that water drains properly,' he advised.

'Two, change the toothbrush or its head every three to four months. 

How to keep your toothbrush clean

1. Always keep them upright, so that water drains properly
2. Change the toothbrush or its head every three to four months
3. Keep the toothbrush away from the toilet bowl, and when flushing, try to keep the toilet lid closed

'Three, keep the toothbrush away from the toilet bowl, and when flushing, try to keep the toilet lid closed. 

'As much as possible, try to keep it away from the toilet and in a well ventilated area so that it dries.'

While the disgusting findings might have you reaching for a UV cleaner, Dr Choudhury says that this isn't necessary. 

'Things like UV containers and cleaning them in mouthwash are good to have, but not necessary,' he explained. 

Choudhury's video has garnered over 30,000 likes on Instagram, with many disgusted fans taking to the comments. 

'Close the lid when you flush. That's what it's there for,' one user wrote. 

Another added: 'Great video! Really important info that touches our daily lives and can make a huge difference.'

And one joked: 'How big do you think our bathrooms are?'

Research shows impact of flushing toilet using lasers and cameras

The video comes shortly after scientists warned that flushing the toilet can send an enormous plume of tiny water droplets up into the air surrounding it.

Among the most common potentially harmful airborne bacteria propelled from the toilet bowl in indoor bathrooms are E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).

These can be inhaled, raising the risk of getting a nasty stomach bug or respiratory infection.

Wajid Ali, who led the study from China University of Geosciences, said: 'Our findings underscore the substantial health risks posed by bioaerosol exposure in public washrooms.

'Enhancing ventilation systems by optimising exhaust fan efficiency and air exchange rates can effectively reduce bioaerosol concentrations and exposure risks for the public.'

Daily Mail

Nigeria's annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 3.84 percent in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024, according to a report published Tuesday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This growth rate exceeds both the 3.46 percent recorded in Q3 2024 and the 3.46 percent from Q4 2023.

The services sector was the primary driver of economic growth, expanding by 5.37 percent and contributing 57.38 percent to the aggregate GDP. Meanwhile, the agriculture sector grew by 1.76 percent, down from 2.10 percent in Q4 2023, and the industry sector expanded by 2.00 percent, a decline from 3.86 percent in the same period of 2023.

Overall, Nigeria's annual GDP growth for 2024 stood at 3.40 percent, showing improvement from the 2.74 percent recorded in 2023. The nominal GDP for Q4 2024 was N78.37 trillion, representing a year-on-year nominal growth of 18.91 percent compared to Q4 2023's N65.91 trillion.

In the oil sector, Nigeria recorded an average daily production of 1.54 million barrels per day (mbpd), slightly lower than the 1.56 mbpd in Q4 2023 but higher than the 1.47 mbpd in Q3 2024. The real growth of the oil sector was 1.48 percent year-on-year in Q4 2024, a significant decrease from the 12.11 percent recorded in Q4 2023 and the 5.17 percent in Q3 2024. The sector contributed 4.60 percent to the total real GDP, down from 4.70 percent in Q4 2023 and 5.57 percent in Q3 2024.

The non-oil sector, which contributed 95.40 percent to Nigeria's GDP in Q4 2024, grew by 3.96 percent in real terms. This growth was higher than both the 3.07 percent recorded in Q4 2023 and the 3.37 percent in Q3 2024. The non-oil sector was driven primarily by financial and insurance institutions, telecommunications, crop production, road transport, trade, and manufacturing.

A London court has ruled that Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), a leading liquefied natural gas (LNG) producer, must pay $380 million in damages to Swiss commodity trading firms Vitol and Glencore for failing to fulfill contracted LNG deliveries. The dispute stems from NLNG's failure to deliver 19 cargoes between 2020 and 2021, which were part of supply agreements secured by Taleveras, a Dubai-based trading company.

Taleveras, founded in 2004 by Nigerian businessman Igho Sanomi, had pre-sold some of the cargoes to Vitol and Glencore. When NLNG failed to deliver the agreed-upon shipments, the Swiss firms initiated legal action against Taleveras, sparking a series of lawsuits. Last week, an appeal by NLNG was dismissed, upholding the court's decision that the company must pay approximately $260 million to Vitol and $120 million to Glencore.

NLNG, a joint venture involving Shell, TotalEnergies, Eni, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, which holds a 49% stake, stated that it is reviewing the court's decision but declined to provide further comment. Shell, Eni, and TotalEnergies also refrained from commenting, while Vitol, Glencore, and Taleveras did not respond to requests for remarks.

The ruling highlights ongoing tensions in the global LNG market, where producers have faced accusations of withholding contracted supplies to capitalize on higher spot market prices. Similar disputes have emerged worldwide, including arbitration cases involving Shell and BP Plc against U.S. exporter Venture Global LNG.

This case underscores the complexities of international energy trading and the legal ramifications of contract breaches in a volatile market.

The Pan Yoruba Socio-Political Group, Afenifere, has appointed Oba Oladipo Olaitan as the new leader of the group.

This was contained in a communique issued after its monthly general meeting held at the lsanya Ogbo, in Ogun state, the country home of its late leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo.

The Meeting was attended by delegates from the six South West states, Kogi, Kwara and the Itsekiri of Delta State

According to the communique, “Oba Olaitan will function as the Leader in acting capacity till after the final burial of Papa Ayo Adebanjo when he will assume the office as substantive Leader.

The communique was signed by the group’s Secretary General, Sola Ebiseni and its National Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye.

It reads that the ”meeting considered the recommendations of the National Caucus and approved the appointment of Oba Oladipo Olaitan as the new Leader of Afenifere.

“Olaitan was called to the Nigerian Bar as a lawyer in 1971, a Political Adviser to Governor Lateef Jakande and a member of the Lagos State Executive Council 1979 – 1983; elected Member House of Representatives and Leader of AD in the House 1999 – 2003.

”He has been a member of Afenifere for over 45 years serving in various capacities including the National Financial Secretary under the leadership of Reuben Fasoranti and Deputy Leader under Ayo Adebanjo.

In his acceptance speech, the new leader, said that he is” committed to the ideals of Afenifere as a social-political organisation and unrelenting advocate of restructuring and true federalism adding that he would ensure the unity of the organisation.

On security, the group decried the worsening security situation in the country.

Members, according to the communique, “received reports of a young man, Eniola Ojajuni, the videos of whose ordeal, in the den of kidnappers have been on social media for almost a week.

“The Meeting called on the governments of Ondo and Kogi States around which common boundaries the kidnapping was reported to have taken place and the relevant security agencies to act without further delay and ensure the rescue and safety of the young man.

Afenifere, also, acknowledged the enviable contributions of its late Leader, Pa Adebanjo, to nation-building as reflected by the glowing tributes in his memory from all walks of life within Nigeria and the world over.

They commiserated with “the children and the immediate family members of our Leader and applauded them for their untiring courteous engagement of a large number of people who daily throng the Lekki Lagos and Isanya-Ogbo Ogun State residence of our great Leader.

Present at the meeting include, Femi Okunrounmu Gbenga Kaka, former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Pekun Awobona, Tola Mobolurin, Tokunbo Ajasin, Bayo Adenekan, Leke Mabinuori, Olayemi Olajuyinu; Olu Pessu and Olusegun Olawoyin.

Vanguard

Israel looks to extend phase one of Gaza truce as long-term deal proves elusive

The initial phase of the ceasefire deal, launched with the backing of the United States and the help of Egyptian and Qatari mediators on January 19, is due to end on Saturday and it remains unclear what will follow.

"We are being very cautious," Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel told reporters in Jerusalem, when asked whether the truce might be extended without the start of talks on a second phase which would include difficult issues such as a final end to the war and the future governance of Gaza.

"There wasn't a particular agreement on that, but it might be a possibility," she said. "We didn't close the option of continuing the current ceasefire, but in return for our hostages, and they have to be returned safely."

If no agreement is reached by Friday, officials expect either a return to fighting or a freeze in the current situation in which the truce would continue but hostages would not return and Israel may block the entry of aid into Gaza.

Two officials who have been involved in the ceasefire process told Reuters that Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas have not engaged in negotiations to finalise an agreement over phase two of the ceasefire which will have to bridge wide gaps between the two sides to be concluded.

"I think it's unrealistic to see something like that forming within a few days," Haskel said. "This is something that needs to be discussed in depth. This is going to take time."

The deal, which included the release of 33 Israeli hostages in return for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees held in Israeli jails and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from some of their positions in Gaza, has survived numerous hiccups.

So far, 29 Israeli hostages - plus five Thais - have been released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, with the bodies of four more hostages, initially due to be handed over on Thursday, still to come.

There is now a standoff over the release of more than 600 Palestinians, which Israel has delayed, accusing Hamas of breaching the agreement by making a public show of the handover of Israeli hostages in Gaza.

Hamas official Basem Naim said progress could not be made while the prisoners were still being held but that Hamas was committed to a permanent ceasefire and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Haskel said she hoped a solution would be found to secure the handover of the final four in the next few days.

WITKOFF DUE IN ISRAEL

Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump's special Middle East envoy, is expected in Israel on Wednesday to continue discussions on the second stage, opening the way to a final end to the war in Gaza.

Negotiations over the second phase, intended to secure the release of the remaining hostages and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, had been meant to start this month, 16 days after the start of the truce.

Qatar's prime minister flew to Florida on February 6 and met Witkoff to discuss the "full implementation" of phase one and "to kick-start negotiations for the second phase", according to an official briefed on the talks.

But officials in the ceasefire process say that so far none of the principal negotiators have met face to face since the first phase was agreed last month and there is little clarity on options for the "day after".

"This is the day after Gaza, after the war in Gaza and what's going to happen there, and so we are continuing that channel with the Americans," Haskel said.

The fighting in Gaza was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, in which Israel said about 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken as hostages back to Gaza.

Israel's retaliatory assault on Gaza has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, Palestinian health officials say, and laid waste to much of the enclave.

Israel has said Hamas cannot have any role in the future running of Gaza and has rejected a role for the Palestinian Authority.

Hamas has said it will not necessarily demand that it remain in charge of the enclave, which it has governed since 2007, but that it must be consulted.

Arab states, which are likely to have to shoulder much of the financial burden of rebuilding devastated Gaza, have been struggling to come up with a proposal of their own but are expected to demand a role for the Palestinian Authority.

Uncertainty increased after Trump proposed moving all the Palestinians out of Gaza to make way for a U.S. waterfront development project, a plan that was endorsed by the Israeli cabinet but rejected by Arab states and Palestinians.

Reuters