Hamas spurned Israel’s proposal to extend the first stage of the Gaza truce by six weeks, casting doubt over the future direction of ongoing negotiations.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told Al-Araby TV that negotiations for the second stage of the truce deal had not yet commenced. The first stage, initiated on January 19, saw Hamas release 25 hostages and bring back eight other corpses in return for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
The second stage was designed to release dozens of other hostages in Gaza and move toward a more lasting end to the war. Nevertheless, through early Saturday, no agreement had been reached. Qassem claimed that Hamas refused the extension of the first stage based on Israel’s conditions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dispatched an envoy to Cairo, in which Egypt as a facilitator confirmed that “intensive talks” had begun. Egyptian, Israeli, Qatari, and American negotiators participated in negotiations aimed to break the deadlock.
While no Hamas envoys were present in Cairo, as AFP reports, a Palestinian negotiator source revealed a settlement effort in progress.
Max Rodenbeck of the International Crisis Group further contributed that while progress on a second phase might not be swift, the ceasefire would not be likely to collapse completely. In the meantime, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz reiterated the pledge that Israel’s preference was to secure further hostage releases through an extension of the current phase and not progressing to a second phase.
With negotiations continuing, the future is uncertain, with mediators working to maintain stability and prevent a return to all-out war.
