The first phase of the Israel-Hamas truce is set to expire on Saturday, but negotiations on the next phase, which is expected to lead to a permanent ceasefire, have yet to reach a resolution. The ceasefire, which began on January 19, followed more than 15 months of war triggered by Hamas’s deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
During the first phase, Hamas released 25 hostages and returned the bodies of eight others in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Now, both sides are negotiating for the next stage, which is expected to secure the release of more hostages still held in Gaza. The truce was brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, after intense negotiations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to meet with security officials on Friday, while Israeli, Qatari, and US delegations have gathered in Cairo for further talks. However, as of Saturday morning, there was no indication of a breakthrough or a Hamas delegation’s presence in Cairo.
The Israeli government is reportedly leaning toward extending the first phase of the ceasefire by six weeks, a proposal backed by Defense Minister Israel Katz. Meanwhile, Hamas has been pushing for the second phase to begin immediately, citing its devastating losses during the war and its commitment to implementing the terms of the agreement.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the importance of maintaining the ceasefire, stating that the coming days were critical to avoid a breakdown of the deal. The ceasefire has allowed for greater humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, where the conflict has left widespread devastation, displacing nearly the entire population and causing severe food shortages.
As Ramadan begins this weekend, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. Despite the truce, violence has not ceased entirely, with Israel carrying out airstrikes in southern Gaza.
