The first phase of the Israel-Hamas truce that took effect on January 19 expires on Saturday. The two sides have yet to decide on the next steps.
Under the terms of the agreement, is to remain suspended as long as both sides continue negotiations for a second phase.
negotiators were in Cairo on Thursday to discuss the truce with Egyptian, Qatari, and US mediators, following officials’ visit last week.
Hamas has rejected extending the first phase of the ceasefire, insisting on moving directly to the second phase to permanently end the Gaza war. Israel, however, seeks a 42-day extension of the first phase
The ceasefire came after 15 months of bombardment during which more than 60% of buildings were destroyed in the process of an Israeli military operation launched in retaliation for an attack by the Gaza-based militant organization, Hamas, on October 7, 2023.
In this attack, around 1,200 people were killed and some 250 taken hostage into Gaza. The resulting Israeli army operation has killed some 48,000 people in Gaza.
Talks for the second phase
“At this fragile moment, we must avoid a resumption of hostilities that would deepen the suffering and further destabilize a region that is already perched on a knife’s edge,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in an X post on Friday.
The UN said the truce has allowed the flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza strip, which has seen widespread destruction and famine due to the war.
Two Israeli officials said Israeli Prime Minister was due to hold consultations with security chiefs and ministers on Friday after they returned from Cairo.
A Hamas official said they wanted the truce to extend through the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which begins Saturday. However, they wanted to move on to the second phase which would open possibilities for the end of the war.
But Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said they want more hostages freed under an extension of the first phase.
During the first phase of the ceasefire, by Hamas and about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners have been freed by Israel.
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