Second Phase of Gaza Ceasefire in Jeopardy as Negotiations Stall

The six-week ceasefire in Gaza has expired, with Hamas accusing Israel of not fulfilling its commitment to withdraw completely from the region. Talks for the second phase of the agreement have not yet begun, and Israel’s proposal to extend the first phase was deemed unacceptable by Hamas. The second phase was supposed to see the release of hostages and prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and lead to a permanent end to the war. However, negotiations have stalled, and it is unclear what will happen next. The ceasefire agreement, which began on January 19, allowed for the exchange of hostages and prisoners, but issues remain, such as the Israeli forces’ withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor. The corridor has been a major point of contention, with Israel stating they will not allow Hamas to take control of it again. Despite the tense situation, the Gaza Strip has remained calm for now, with Palestinians preparing for Ramadan amid the ruins of destroyed homes. The war, sparked by a Hamas-led terror attack, has resulted in significant casualties and destruction in Gaza. The future remains uncertain as negotiations for the next phase of the ceasefire have not yet started.

Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com