Hamas Rejects Israel’s Plan To Extend Ceasefire, Demands Next Phase Talks
The Palestinian group Hamas on Friday announced it would not accept what it described as an Israeli proposal to extend the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, insisting that talks must begin on a second phase aimed at permanently ending the war.
In Cairo, Israeli and Hamas negotiators held discussions alongside other regional mediators. The Israeli delegation returned home Friday evening without reaching any consensus on moving into the second phase. Speaking with Al Araby television, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said, “Extending the first phase of the deal in the format that Israel wants is unacceptable,” and accused Israel of delaying progress. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office declined to comment.
In a statement, the Saudi TV station Asharq cited a Hamas source blaming “Israel’s procrastination” for the lack of progress on the ceasefire’s next stage. According to this source, any attempt by Israel to prolong the initial phase without immediately transitioning to comprehensive talks would be considered a “violation of the agreement.” Israeli officials have not commented on whether they are prepared to negotiate beyond the current arrangement.
The first phase of the ceasefire, which took effect on January 19, is set to expire Saturday. The deal allowed for a halt in fighting, the release of 33 Israeli hostages (along with eight bodies), and the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees held in Israeli jails. Hamas says 59 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza. Qassem claimed Israel wants to secure the remaining hostages before resuming military operations.
According to Hamas, the second phase of the agreement would require a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, bring a final end to the war, and guarantee that both sides cease all military actions. Negotiations on this phase were slated to begin on the 16th day of the deal, but progress has reportedly stalled.
The war began after Hamas-aligned fighters from Gaza launched a cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, killing nearly 1,200 Israelis and taking 251 hostage. Israel responded with a campaign of airstrikes and ground operations aimed at toppling Hamas, leading to the deaths of more than 48,000 people in Gaza and the destruction of much of the territory’s infrastructure.
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