A delegation from Israel is currently in Cairo engaging in negotiations to prolong the initial phase of the Gaza ceasefire, set to expire tomorrow, instead of advancing to the second phase as originally intended and as requested by Hamas, according to two Egyptian security sources.
The ceasefire agreement established last month ended 15 months of conflict and opened the door for discussions aimed at resolving the war. It also facilitated the release of 44 Israeli hostages from Gaza and around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees held by Israel.
Nonetheless, both Israel and Hamas have accused one another of violating the ceasefire, raising doubts about the progression to the second phase of the agreement, which is supposed to involve the release of additional hostages and prisoners and steps toward a permanent resolution of the conflict.
Currently, there is no consensus on Gaza’s future among Israelis, Palestinians, or between Western and Arab governments, complicating efforts to reach a lasting solution.
In Khan Yunis, Gaza, Palestinians create ornaments to welcome the holy month of Ramadan, despite the devastation caused by Israeli attacks.
Varsen Aghabekian, a senior official of the Palestinian Authority and State Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed her preference for the ceasefire phases to proceed as initially planned.
“I doubt anyone in Gaza will want to go back to war,” she stated during a conference in Geneva.
The negotiations in Cairo, which are being facilitated by Egypt and Qatar with support from the US, have been characterized by US President Donald Trump as having “pretty good talks going on.” When asked about the possibility of moving to the second phase of the ceasefire deal, Trump remarked, “Nobody really knows, but we’ll see what happens.”
The ongoing Gaza conflict represents the latest chapter in a long-standing dispute between Israel and Palestinians.
This conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, when fighters from Hamas breached border defenses from Gaza and launched attacks on Israeli communities, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and around 250 individuals taken hostage, according to Israeli sources.
The Israeli military response has resulted in over 48,000 deaths, according to Palestinian authorities, as well as widespread destruction across the densely populated territory, rendering most of its 2 million residents homeless.
During the first six weeks, the ceasefire has primarily been upheld, though both sides have claimed violations, especially regarding the treatment of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees and the management of their releases.
The United Nations has highlighted the distressing nature of images depicting both emaciated Israeli hostages and released Palestinian detainees, noting that they illustrate the appalling conditions in which they were held.
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Hamas has displayed its strength during hostage releases by showcasing them in front of cameras, while Israeli authorities have required released detainees to wear clothing emblazoned with pro-Israeli slogans.
According to Egyptian security sources, Israel is negotiating an extension of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement by 42 days.
Israeli government officials indicated earlier this week that they would aim to extend the initial phase by having Hamas release three hostages weekly in exchange for the release of Palestinian detainees.
Discussions regarding the conclusion of the war are hindered by the absence of an agreement on fundamental issues, such as the governance of Gaza, security management, reconstruction efforts, and the financing of such initiatives.
This month, Trump proposed that the US should assume control over Gaza and redevelop it as a “Riviera of the Middle East,” displacing its population to Egypt and Jordan.
Arab nations have rejected this proposal but have not yet presented an alternative plan.
European countries have also dismissed the notion of displacing Palestinians, affirming their continued support for a two-state solution to the ongoing conflict.
