Israel has approved a six-week extension of the Gaza ceasefire with Hamas, coinciding with important religious observances. Under the proposed plan, a number of captives will be released. However, Hamas has contested the terms and called for a permanent ceasefire. Public demonstrations in Israel also highlight the urgency of addressing the situation regarding captured individuals.
Cairo – March 2, 2025: Israel has sanctioned a temporary six-week extension of the ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza, aligning with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Pesach. This decision was announced by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shortly after the expiration of the initial ceasefire phase, which had ceased over 15 months of devastating conflict that resulted in tens of thousands of deaths in the enclave.
The ceasefire extension is based on a proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. As a part of this plan, Hamas is expected to release half of the captives currently in their custody, both living and deceased, on the first day of the ceasefire. The release of the remaining captives will depend on the negotiation of a lasting ceasefire agreement.
Hamas has not yet publicly responded to this latest development, but on Saturday it expressed its refusal to accept the ceasefire extension offered by Israel. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem stated that Israel aims to evade its obligations to conclude the war through the proposed extension while retaining the option to resume hostilities at any time.
Additionally, Hamas has insisted on the urgent enforcement of the second phase of the agreement, which seeks to establish a permanent cessation of hostilities, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the release of numerous captives still held in Gaza. Meanwhile, Israel has postponed any final discussions regarding the future status of Gaza.
Netanyahu’s office indicated that discussions regarding the ceasefire extension would begin contingent upon a change in Hamas’s position. Furthermore, it was announced that aid entering Gaza would cease immediately as the first phase of the agreement came to an end.
In Tel Aviv, thousands of Israeli protestors have gathered to demand the initiation of the second phase of the agreement to ensure the return of family members captured by Hamas since October 7, 2023. Hamas has expressed its readiness to release all remaining captives in exchange for a definitive halt to the war and a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the region.
Under the first phase of the agreement, Hamas previously released thirty living captives, including Israeli citizens and soldiers, along with several Thai nationals. Additionally, Hamas returned the bodies of eight Israeli captives it claims were killed amid the ongoing conflict, leaving dozens still held, with approximately half of them believed to be alive. In reciprocity, Israel released around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including those detained during the conflict, and others serving life sentences.
The conflict in Gaza has been one of the deadliest in recent history, resulting in the deaths of over 48,300 Palestinians and injuring more than 111,800 as the enclave suffered widespread devastation. The conflict escalated following a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, when Hamas fighters captured 251 Israelis and other foreign nationals. According to reports, a total of 147 captives have been returned to Israel through various exchanges, including the eight bodies returned in recent weeks.
In summary, the temporary extension of the ceasefire agreement provides a crucial opportunity for both Israel and Hamas to consider the terms for a more lasting peace. While the Israeli government seeks to negotiate the release of captives, Hamas has emphasized its goal for a permanent cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The ongoing conflict remains a focal point of concern for both parties as they navigate this precarious situation amid international scrutiny.
Original Source: www.egypttoday.com
