GAZA CITY: The first phase of the Gaza ceasefire concluded on Saturday without agreement on subsequent terms, leaving Palestinians in a state of uncertainty as humanitarian conditions deteriorate and negotiations remain deadlocked.
A senior Hamas official confirmed that talks on the second phase of the truce—intended to secure a permanent end to hostilities—had failed to progress, with no clarity on when talks might resume.
The Palestinian enclave, now enduring its 42nd day under a fragile ceasefire, faces a near-total collapse of basic services, including electricity, internet, and local media.
The initial phase of the ceasefire, brokered in January, paused 15 months of Israeli bombardment and facilitated the release of 33 hostages, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
However, Hamas rejected an Israeli proposal to extend this phase by 42 days, arguing it contravened the original agreement.
A Hamas member, speaking anonymously, claimed the proposal aimed to delay progress toward a permanent truce while recovering remaining captives.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem told Al Araby TV that Israel had avoided engaging in second-phase negotiations, accusing it of seeking to retain “the possibility of resuming the war.”
The Palestinian group reiterated its demand for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire—conditions Israel has rejected.
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Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated on Thursday that Israel was “ready to extend the [first-phase] framework in return for the release of more hostages,” emphasising ongoing efforts to retrieve the 59 captives still in Gaza.
Humanitarian crisis and psychological toll
The ceasefire’s first phase allowed limited aid into Gaza, with the World Food Programme (WFP) reporting it reached 1 million Palestinians through reopened bakeries and cash assistance.
However, the WFP warned, “The ceasefire must hold. There can be no going back,” amid fears of renewed violence.
Residents described enduring a “psychological war” due to conflicting reports about the truce’s future.
Gaza health officials report over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, mostly women and children, since Israel’s offensive began following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack.
The UN estimates thousands more remain buried under rubble, with the total fatalities cited by some reports reaching 61,707.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged parties to “spare no effort” to avoid a breakdown in talks.
Despite ceasefire terms barring hostilities during negotiations, Israel has conducted deadly raids in the West Bank, according to humanitarian groups.
Aid workers report life-threatening obstructions at new Israeli checkpoints, further straining Gaza’s relief efforts.
