In recent developments regarding the ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, discussions aimed at initiating the second phase have reached a stalemate with no progress reported. A senior official from Hamas expressed uncertainty about whether talks would resume over the weekend. The ceasefire’s initial phase is set to expire on Saturday, but the stipulations of the agreement dictate that hostilities should not restart while deliberations for the second phase, which has the potential to terminate the Gaza conflict, are in motion. This phase also aims at facilitating the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the return of remaining hostages, and possibly ending the long-standing war in the region. According to Israeli sources, 32 of the 59 hostages still held by Hamas are deceased.
The first phase successfully put a pause on 15 months of fighting in Gaza, resulting in the liberation of 33 hostages, which included the return of eight bodies, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees. This exchange allowed hundreds of thousands to return to northern Gaza, increased the flow of aid into the territory, and saw Israeli troops temporarily retreat into buffer zones.
Representatives from several nations, including Israel, Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, are participating in the negotiations taking place in Cairo. Hamas is not directly involved in these talks but is represented by Egyptian and Qatari mediators. Basem Naim from Hamas’ political bureau stated there had been “no progress” as Israeli negotiators returned home on Friday. It remains unclear whether talks are set to recommence on Saturday, with Naim noting uncertainty about when negotiations might continue.
Hostilities began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an offensive that resulted in 1,200 deaths in Israel, with a majority being civilians, and capturing approximately 250 hostages. In the aftermath, Israel’s military operations have reportedly resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian fatalities as per Gaza health officials, with claims that more than half of these casualties were women and children. The distinction between civilian and combatant casualties has not been clearly defined.
Hamas has stated its commitment to fulfilling all terms of the ceasefire agreement and urged the international community to exert pressure on Israel to proceed to the next phase without delay. However, further complicating the ceasefire’s future is Israel’s insistence that Hamas should not partake in governance activities within Gaza post-conflict. Additionally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed any potential role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza, a political entity primarily governed by Hamas’ rival faction, Fatah.
Mohamed Darwish, a prominent figure within Hamas, reiterated their willingness to transition power to a Palestinian national consensus government or an Egyptian-proposed technocratic body. His remarks were addressed to the Arab leaders set to meet in Cairo soon. Furthermore, Hamas has already dismissed an Israeli suggestion to prolong the current ceasefire by 42 days, doubling its original duration. According to a Hamas representative involved in confidential discussions, this proposal extended through the significant holy Muslim month of Ramadan and included additional hostage swaps.
In the midst of these diplomatic negotiations, life in the war-torn region continues to be strenuous, particularly during the observance of Ramadan. In Gaza’s Rafah city, images show tables laid out for breaking the fast amidst the wreckage, illuminated by strings of lights against the darkening sky. War-exhausted Palestinians endure the holy month by fasting while grappling with economic challenges, with residents mentioning the lack of financial means despite a relative abundance of food compared to previous years.
Efforts to improve the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza were also noted by Netanyahu’s office, indicating ongoing discussions led by mediators to support the region’s population and foster overall stability. The United Nations’ food agency confirmed aiding 1 million Palestinians during the first phase of the deal, emphasizing the necessity for the ceasefire to persist, as stated in one of their communications.
In related developments, Hamas has released new footage showing hostages, featuring two brothers sharing a moment of embrace before one was released from captivity. The video, seemingly recorded under duress, likely predates February 15 when one brother was freed, leaving the other behind. The blurred faces of other captives can be discerned in the footage, while one brother calls for advancing to subsequent phases of the agreement to end the war.
