Gaza Ceasefire’s First Phase Ends Without Breakthrough in Egypt Talks

The first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire expired on Saturday, without a clear agreement on the next stage, despite ongoing negotiations in Cairo.

The initial phase of the ceasefire, which began on January 19, 2025, has expired. This phase led to the exchange of hostages and prisoners between Israel and Hamas, with Hamas releasing 25 living hostages and the bodies of eight others in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

According to local media reports, Israel’s negotiating delegation has returned from Egypt, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet with his security team to discuss the situation.

The initial phase of the ceasefire, which began recently, led to the exchange of hostages and prisoners between Israel and Hamas. However, talks for the second phase, aimed at securing a permanent ceasefire and further hostage releases, have been inconclusive.

Hamas is pushing for international pressure on Israel to proceed with the next phase without delay, accusing Israel of procrastination and violating the agreement.

Israel, on the other hand, prefers to extend the first phase to secure the release of more hostages rather than moving to the second phase, which involves steps toward a permanent end to the war and the potential withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

The mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States continue, with the UN Secretary-General urging both sides to maintain the ceasefire and work toward its extension.

The start of Ramadan adds a sensitive element to the negotiations, as maintaining peace during this holy month is crucial. Despite the challenges, some analysts believe the ceasefire might hold, though uncertainty remains about the future of the agreement.