Gaza’s uncertainty as a Palestinian group says there will be no continued consultations on the second phase of the armistice, even if the first phase expires on Saturday.
Once the first phase of the Israeli Hama ceasefire in Gaza is closely guided, negotiations on the next phase, aimed at securing a permanent ceasefire, have so far been inconclusive.
Hamas on Saturday rejected Israel’s “formulation” to extend the first phase of the ceasefire, rather than proceeding to the second phase as originally planned, calling it unacceptable.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem told Al Arabian Television that no speeches were given during the second ceasefire phase, despite the initial phase being scheduled to expire on Saturday.
Qassem said he is blamed for not starting negotiations for phase 2 and is denounced that Israel wants to recover the remaining prisoners of war from Gaza, while retaining the possibility of resuming the war.
His comments came the day after Hamas urged Israel to move to the second stage and confirmed “the full commitment to enforce all terms of the contract in every stage and in detail.”
Israeli officials joined Qatar and US mediators in Cairo on Thursday for “intensive discussion,” Egypt’s state information services said on Friday. However, those negotiations apparently did not have any fruit.
The discussions on the second phase of the ceasefire are intended to negotiate a comprehensive end to the battle in Gaza, including the return of all remaining prisoners and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory.
According to Israel, there are 59 prisoners of war remaining in Gaza, of which 24 are thought to be still alive.
On Thursday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saa told reporters: [of phase one] In return for more hostage releases. If that is possible, we do it. ”
“I won’t go back”
Sami al-Aryen, a professor at Istanbul Zyim University, said it is not clear what will happen next.
“American envoy Steve Witkov wants to explore the idea of expanding Phase 1, Israeli position,” he told Al Jazeera. “That’s bad news for negotiations because Hamas doesn’t agree with this.”
Meanwhile, humanitarian organisations have repeatedly stated that a ceasefire must continue in order to provide much-needed assistance to the Palestinians in coastal enclaves that have been devastated during the 15 months of the war.
“The impact of safe and lasting humanitarian access is clear,” the World Food Program said in a post on X. “We must maintain a ceasefire. We cannot return.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday that the coming days will be “important” for consultations in the second phase of the ceasefire.
“The ceasefire and hostage release deals must be held. The coming days are important. The parties must spare their efforts to avoid breakdowns of this contract,” Guterres told reporters at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
The fear of reopening
Reported from Gaza, Al Jazeera Tarekuabuasm said there could be a “surge” in military operations “as there is no obligation to maintain a ceasefire.”
“It’s left in the air as mediators try to contain this crisis and prevent them from returning to the fight that brings about something that will bring about even more devastation for the people of Gaza,” he added.
The ceasefire has been running since it began on January 19th, but the Government Media Office in Gaza (GMO) has reported more than 350 Israeli violations, including military intrusions, shootings, air attacks, increased surveillance and obstructing aid since the ceasefire began.
Israeli forces have killed and injured dozens of Palestinians through shootings and shootings since the ceasefire was implemented, according to the GMO.
The GMO has previously reported a lack of consenting displaced families to return to areas in northern Gaza and an agreed level of assistance permitted to the enclave.
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