GAZA CITY: The first phase of the Israel-Hamas truce is set to expire today, with ongoing negotiations for the next phase yielding no clear resolution.
The ceasefire, which began on January 19, followed over 15 months of war sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, the deadliest in the country's history.
During the initial phase, Gaza militants freed 25 hostages and returned the bodies of eight others in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The second phase, which is expected to begin on Sunday, aims to secure the release of additional hostages still held in Gaza.
Despite this, discussions on the next stage have not yet produced consensus. On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu convened a meeting with security officials, and a delegation was sent to Egypt for talks on the second phase. Egypt's State Information Service confirmed that intensive negotiations are ongoing, with Israeli, Qatari, and US delegations present in Cairo.
However, by early Saturday, there were no indications of a breakthrough, and no Hamas delegation had arrived in Egypt. Experts, including Max Rodenbeck of the International Crisis Group, suggest the second phase is unlikely to begin on time but do not foresee the ceasefire collapsing.
Hamas has pressed for the immediate start of phase two, following severe losses during the war, while Israel’s government prefers extending the first phase to free more hostages before moving to the second phase.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the importance of maintaining the truce, urging all parties to avoid a collapse. As the initial phase concludes, Gaza also faces the beginning of Ramadan, with the region struggling to recover from the devastating war.
