Israel and Hamas at an impasse over ceasefire extension

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations with security chiefs and ministers on Friday after an Israeli delegation returned from Cairo without securing an agreement on extending the Gaza ceasefire, two Israeli officials confirmed.

srael is seeking to extend the current 42-day truce through the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, according to a Hamas official. However, Hamas insists on moving directly to the next phase of negotiations aimed at a permanent end to the war. Mediation efforts by Egypt and Qatar are ongoing, but with the ceasefire set to expire on Saturday, uncertainty remains over the next steps.

The agreement, initially brokered last month, temporarily halted 15 months of hostilities and facilitated the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals for approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees. It was intended to lead to further negotiations, yet both sides have accused each other of violations, casting doubt over the deal’s next phase.

Israel has previously stated that it is ready to resume military operations if all hostages are not returned. Meanwhile, Hamas has called for immediate international pressure on Israel to advance to the second phase of the truce. Palestinian Authority official Varsen Aghabekian also urged for negotiations to proceed as originally planned, stating, "I doubt anyone in Gaza will want to go back to war."

The future of Gaza remains a contentious issue, with no consensus among Israeli, Palestinian, Western, or Arab leaders on governance, security, or reconstruction. U.S. President Donald Trump remarked that negotiations were ongoing but gave no certainty on their outcome. His recent proposal for the U.S. to oversee Gaza’s redevelopment and relocate its population to Egypt and Jordan has been rejected by Arab nations, while European countries reaffirmed their support for a two-state solution.

The ceasefire has held for six weeks, despite mutual allegations of breaches. The United Nations has highlighted concerns over the conditions of released hostages and detainees, further complicating efforts to maintain stability. With time running out, diplomatic efforts remain crucial in determining whether hostilities will resume or if a path toward lasting peace can be found.

Copied