Israel Seeks to Extend Ceasefire as Talks Stall, Threatens to Resume Fighting
Israel is pushing to extend the initial phase of its ceasefire agreement with Hamas in Gaza, but is prepared to resume military operations if crucial negotiations do not progress this week, according to reports.
Israeli media, including Kan Radio and Ma’ariv newspaper, reported on Tuesday that informal discussions were underway to prolong the first 42-day stage of the ceasefire, which is set to expire on Saturday. However, formal internationally mediated talks on the second phase—requiring a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza—have faced repeated delays due to ongoing tensions and disputes.
Extending the first phase would involve additional hostage exchanges, with Israeli captives released in return for Palestinian prisoners and detainees. However, Israeli officials remain doubtful about the feasibility of such an extension.
The ceasefire negotiations have hit a deadlock ahead of the planned return of four Israeli bodies on Thursday. The impasse follows Israel’s decision last weekend to delay the release of 600 Palestinian detainees. That move was reportedly triggered by a Hamas-released video on Saturday, which showed two hostages being forced to watch others being freed. The video, along with public hostage release ceremonies by Hamas, has fueled anger in Israel.
Hamas, in response, has stated that it will not continue negotiations unless Israel follows through on the promised release of the 600 Palestinian prisoners. This puts pressure on mediators to break the deadlock before Thursday’s scheduled return of hostage bodies and Saturday’s deadline for the ceasefire’s first phase. Hamas had previously expressed willingness to extend the initial stage briefly to allow humanitarian aid to continue flowing and to keep discussions about the second phase alive.
Egypt, a key intermediary in the talks, has also taken a firm stance, refusing to discuss prolonging phase one unless negotiations for phase two begin simultaneously, according to the Associated Press, citing Egyptian officials.
Meanwhile, Steve Witkoff, the Trump administration’s former Middle East envoy, is set to return to the region on Wednesday. In an interview with CNN over the weekend, Witkoff indicated he was working toward extending phase one to allow more time for stage two discussions.
The second phase of the agreement, with no fixed timeline, would require a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, effectively ending the war and initiating talks on the future governance of the territory. The third phase is expected to focus on reconstruction. However, significant disagreements remain over Gaza’s future leadership.
Hamas has signaled willingness to relinquish control of Gaza to other Palestinian authorities but refuses to send its leadership into exile. Israel, on the other hand, insists it will not permit Hamas or the Palestinian Authority—currently governing parts of the West Bank—to administer Gaza once the war concludes.
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s readiness to resume military action “at any moment,” vowing to achieve the war’s objectives “whether through negotiation or by other means.”
Leave A Comment