Israel Seeks to Extend Gaza Ceasefire Phase as Hamas Insists on Next Steps
As Israel pushes for a 42-day extension of the ceasefire’s first phase, Hamas demands full implementation of the agreement, raising uncertainty over the next steps in Gaza.
Watan-Two Egyptian security sources said on Friday that the Israeli delegation in Cairo is trying to reach an agreement to extend the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement by an additional 42 days. The sources added that the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) rejects attempts to extend this phase and insists on moving to the second phase as originally agreed.
Before the first phase of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement ended, Hamas reaffirmed on Friday its full commitment to implementing all the agreement’s terms in all its phases and details. The movement called on the international community to pressure Israel to “fully comply with the agreement and immediately enter the second phase without any delay or maneuvering.”
Two Israeli government officials told Reuters that Israel seeks to extend the first phase while continuing to secure the release of three detainees per week in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
On Thursday, Egypt announced the start of intensive talks in Cairo between the parties involved in the Gaza ceasefire agreement regarding the next phases, amid ongoing efforts to ensure the implementation of the agreed-upon understandings. The Egyptian State Information Service reported that “delegations from Israel and Qatar have arrived in Cairo to continue negotiations on the Gaza ceasefire, with the participation of U.S. representatives.”
Israel’s Demands for Continuing Negotiations in Gaza
The first phase, which lasted 42 days, is set to end on Saturday, without a clear resolution on what will happen in the second phase. The fate of this phase remains uncertain, especially given Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s apparent reluctance to implement the political aspect of the agreement, which includes the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the start of reconstruction efforts, and the permanent establishment of the ceasefire.
On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the first phase of the Gaza agreement is nearing its end. He noted, “No one knows what will happen after the first phase ends,” but added, “We are working hard in the Middle East and Gaza, and we will come up with very good solutions.”
According to the agreement, the Israeli occupation army was supposed to begin withdrawing from the Salah al-Din (Philadelphi) corridor and complete the process within eight days. However, recent Israeli statements suggest a likely breach of this commitment. On Thursday, Israeli media quoted an unnamed Israeli official confirming that there would be no withdrawal from the Salah al-Din corridor. Additionally, Israeli Security Minister Yisrael Katz later stated that the corridor is part of the buffer zone that Israel is establishing inside Gaza, claiming it is necessary to prevent smuggling through tunnels between Gaza and Egyptian territory.
