Israel and Hamas talks stall as Gaza ceasefire set to expire
JERUSALEM — The likelihood of Israel and Hamas returning to war crept higher on Saturday, as Hamas officials said they had rejected Israel's last-minute proposal to extend the first stage of the ceasefire agreement that was set to expire on March 1.
A Hamas spokesman, Hazim Qasem, also said early Saturday that Hamas was demanding that Israel discuss the second phase of the ceasefire as per the agreement signed in January, but that there were no negotiations underway.
A lack of talks between the two sides could have serious implications: under the terms of the three-phase framework signed in January, Israel and Hamas agreed to not immediately return to fighting on March 1 — as long as the two sides were still in negotiations about the second phase.
But 'currently, there are no negotiations regarding the second phase, and Israel bears responsibility for this,' Qasem told the Qatari television network Al Araby on Saturday. 'Hamas remains committed to the agreement, while Israel is backing out of initiating the second phase.'
January's agreement did not specify what time on March 1 the ceasefire agreement would expire. As of midday on Saturday, there were no reports of fighting or hostilities resuming.
Hopes of the ceasefire holding have dimmed in recent days after Israeli and U.S. officials began to openly discuss the possibility of extending the first phase, underscoring the reluctance of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to enter the second, more politically fraught stage of the deal.
The second phase calls for Hamas to release all remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for Israel's complete withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent cessation of hostilities. But Netanyahu has vowed not to end the war before Israel eliminates Hamas as a governing and military force and its fighters lay down their arms — something the militant group has flatly refused.
While a majority of the Israeli public supports the second phase and the families of Israeli hostages have urged Netanyahu to do a deal, however unpalatable, to secure the remaining hostages, the Israeli leader has faced intense pressure from his far-right flank to resume fighting immediately and with even greater intensity to achieve what he describes as 'total victory' in Gaza.
In recent days, Netanyahu has proposed extending the first phase by another 42 days to get more hostages out — roughly 22 hostages are thought to remain alive in Gaza — while keeping the option to resume his military campaign. Hamas officials argue that it does not make sense to release any more hostages — their biggest bargaining chip — without Netanyahu agreeing to withdraw from Gaza and to formally declare an end to the war.
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