CAIRO — The ongoing peace negotiations aimed at establishing the second phase of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have stalled, and it remains uncertain if discussions will continue on Saturday, according to a senior official from Hamas.
During the initial phase of the ceasefire, which temporarily halted the 15-month conflict in the Gaza Strip, 33 hostages were released, including the return of eight bodies. In exchange, nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners were freed.
This phase is set to conclude on Saturday, but the agreement stipulates that hostilities must not resume while talks regarding the second phase, which could potentially conclude the war in Gaza and facilitate the safe return of remaining hostages, are in progress.
Negotiators from Israel, Qatar, Egypt, and the United States have been actively involved in discussions in Cairo, aiming to cease hostilities permanently, secure the release of remaining hostages, and facilitate the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Though Hamas officials were absent from these talks, their perspectives were represented by Egyptian and Qatari intermediaries. A member of Hamas’ political bureau expressed to the news agency that there has been no significant development in reaching an accord as Israeli negotiators departed on Friday.
There is currently no clarity on whether the mediators are expected to return to Cairo on Saturday to resume discussions, as anticipated. The Hamas official admitted uncertainty about when the negotiations might recommence.
The war erupted with an attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, resulting in 1,200 casualties in Israel. Since this outbreak, the Israeli military’s operations have resulted in the deaths of over 48,000 Palestinians, based on information from Gaza health officials. These officials do not distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths but acknowledge that over half of the casualties are women and children.
The parties involved had consented to a three-phase ceasefire arrangement in January with the intention to conclude the conflict.
On Friday, Hamas reiterated its dedication to adhere fully to the agreement’s terms through all its phases, urging the international community to compel Israel to move forward with the second phase without any procrastination or avoidance.
Beyond the second phase of the ceasefire, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office announced last week that the negotiators are also exploring ways to increase the provision of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, aiming to ease the population’s suffering and bolster regional stability.
Hamas has turned down an Israeli proposal to extend the current ceasefire phase by 42 days, claiming it violates the agreed truce, as per a Hamas member who wished to remain unnamed while discussing the private negotiations.
According to the source, Israel’s proposal involves prolonging the ceasefire across the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which commenced on Saturday, in exchange for an additional round of hostage releases.
On Saturday, the United Nations’ World Food Program shared on social media that it reached one million Palestinians across Gaza during the ceasefire’s first phase.
The temporary halt in combat operations has helped restore distribution channels, reopened bakeries, and added to cash assistance efforts, the agency acknowledged.
“The ceasefire must hold,” it emphasized, adding, “There can be no going back.”
