In recent developments, efforts to negotiate the second phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have stalled. A senior Hamas official stated that there has been no significant progress and it remains uncertain if talks will continue this Saturday.
The first phase of the ceasefire successfully brought a pause to 15 months of conflict in the Gaza Strip. During this time, Israel facilitated the release of 33 hostages, including eight deceased individuals, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
As the first phase comes to an end on Saturday, both sides agreed that hostilities would not resume while negotiations for the second phase are ongoing. This phase aims to end the conflict in Gaza and secure the return of all remaining hostages.
Negotiators from Israel, Qatar, Egypt, and the United States have been working together in Cairo to finalize terms that would ideally lead to a ceasing of hostilities and a withdrawal of Israeli forces. Notably, Hamas did not participate directly in the discussions. Instead, their views were communicated through representatives from Egypt and Qatar. Basem Naim, a Hamas political bureau member, indicated that talks did not yield any progress, particularly after Israeli negotiators returned home on Friday.
Hamas initiated the current wave of violence with an assault on October 7, 2023, leading to the deaths of approximately 1,200 people in Israel. In the retaliation, the Israeli military has reported over 48,000 Palestinian casualties, which health officials in Gaza attribute to the conflict without specifying whether the victims were civilians or combatants. They do, however, claim that a significant number of the deceased are women and children.
The two parties had previously agreed to a three-phase ceasefire deal in January to ultimately resolve the ongoing war. Recently, Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to the agreement and urged the international community to pressure Israel to proceed promptly with the next phase of negotiations.
In addition to focusing on the ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office mentioned discussions about increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza during this period. This initiative aims to alleviate suffering among the civilian population and contribute to regional stability.
Hamas, however, rejected an Israeli proposal to extend the ceasefire by an additional 42 days, arguing that this extension contradicts the agreement established. This proposal sought to maintain peace through the upcoming Muslim holy month while facilitating another hostage exchange.
Meanwhile, the United Nations’ World Food Program reported that it had successfully reached one million Palestinians in Gaza during the ceasefire’s first phase. The temporary cessation of conflict allowed for the restoration of vital supply channels, the reopening of bakeries, and the expansion of financial assistance.
As the situation develops, the call remains strong for the ceasefire to endure, emphasizing that a return to violence must be avoided.
