Gaza ceasefire: Israel seeks extension, Hamas demands implementation of second phase
The first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, which began on 19 January and lasted for six weeks, has now ended. While Israel supports a US proposal to extend the ceasefire until mid-April, Hamas insists on implementing the second phase of the agreement.
Israel has accepted a plan by US envoy Steve Witkoff to extend the ceasefire during Ramadan and Passover. Under the proposal, Hamas would release half of the remaining Israeli hostages on the first day of the extension, with the rest to be released if a permanent ceasefire is reached by the end of the period.
Phase two implementation
However, Hamas has rejected the extension without the implementation of phase two, which includes a permanent ceasefire, the release of additional hostages and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
Hamas leader Mahmoud Mardaoui has reiterated that the group would not back down from these demands, saying that stability in the region depended on moving forward with the agreed phases.
The disagreement underlines the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the deep divisions between the parties. While Israel is prioritising the extension of the ceasefire to secure the release of hostages, Hamas is demanding broader commitments, increasing uncertainty about the next steps in the conflict.
The third and final phase would focus on the reconstruction of the region.
© PHOTO AFP
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