Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was set to hold security consultations on Friday after an Israeli delegation returned from Cairo with no agreement on extending the Gaza ceasefire. The 42-day truce, which began last month and halted 15 months of fighting, is set to expire on Saturday.
Netanyahu’s meeting comes amid concerns over the lack of progress in negotiations between Israel and Hamas, with both sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire. Egyptian and Qatari mediators are seeking time to resolve the impasse, but it remains unclear whether a deal will be reached.
The talks also raise questions about Gaza’s future, including how it would be governed, its security managed, and who would pay for rebuilding efforts. The lack of agreement over these issues complicates efforts to negotiate a lasting resolution to the conflict.
Hamas has called on the international community to pressure Israel into entering the second phase of the deal without delay, while a senior Palestinian Authority official expressed skepticism about the prospect of war resuming.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with thousands killed and many more displaced. The ceasefire has held for six weeks, but both sides have accused each other of breaches, including in the handling of hostages and detainees.
With no sign of agreement between Israelis and Palestinians or between Western and Arab governments over Gaza’s future, uncertainty surrounding the ceasefire deal continues to cast a shadow over efforts to negotiate a lasting resolution.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-hamas-diverge-over-ceasefire-with-first-phase-set-expire-2025-02-28