The continuation of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas remains unclear as Tel Aviv blocked humanitarian aid trucks going to Gaza in response to Hamas rejecting a new proposal by the Israeli counterparts to extend the ceasefire.
Hamas called the obstruction by Israel towards aid trucks a ceasefire violation and termed it as “cheap blackmail” and a “war crime.”
According to Israeli authorities, 59 hostages remain in Gaza under Hamas’ control out of which 24 are thought to be alive, CNN reported.
Israeli soldiers salute as the convoy carrying the coffins of slain hostages Shiri Bibas and her two children, Ariel and Kfir, pass by near Kibbutz Nir Oz, southern Israel, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. The mother and her two children were abducted by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, and their remains were returned from Gaza to Israel last week as part of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. (AP Photo)
The Ceasefire Deal:
The ceasefire agreement signed between Israel and Hamas on January 19 was a three phase program. The first phase of the agreement which lasted for six weeks and ended last Saturday, saw Hamas releasing 38 hostages over the period of 39 days.
However, the first phase of the agreement was intended for Hamas to release 33 hostages alongside freeing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza. Israel released 1,737 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, including 120 women and children.
The second phase of the ceasefire agreement would deal with Hamas releasing all living hostages in Gaza, a commitment by Israel and Hamas to permanently end the war, withdrawal of all Israeli troops from Gaza and exchange of Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
What Israel says:
Israel has asked to continue the first phase of the agreement for another 42 days which would see further exchange of living and deceased hostages, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza but without any commitment to permanently ending the war.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that the idea to extend the first phase of the war was shared by US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. The ceasefire would include Islamic month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover.
PM Netanyahu’s office on Sunday said, “In light of Hamas’ refusal to accept the (US envoy Steve) Witkoff framework for continuing the talks — which Israel had agreed to — Prime Minister Netanyahu has decided that as of this morning, all entry of goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip will be stopped.”
What Hamas says:
Hamas is seeking a permanent ceasefire on war hostilities and complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza under the second stage of the ceasefire agreement and has accused Israel of “ongoing manipulation” with its proposed extension of phase one.
Hamas appealed the mediators to pressure Israel into ending its “punitive and immoral measures” and adhere to the agreement.
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According to CNN, the militant group in a statement on Sunday said “We reaffirm our commitment to implementing the signed agreement in its three stages, and we have repeatedly announced our readiness to begin negotiations for the second stage of the agreement.”
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