Netanyahu Sends Delegation to Egypt for Gaza Ceasefire Extension Negotiations
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sent a delegation to Egypt to negotiate an extension of the ceasefire with Hamas, set to expire soon. The discussions follow the return of hostages’ remains by Hamas. Both sides face accusations of violations, while public opinion in Israel supports the ceasefire for hostage release. Additionally, tensions rise due to military operations and differing views on Gaza’s future governance.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dispatched a delegation to Egypt to engage in discussions regarding the extension of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas in Gaza, which is set to expire in two days. The delegation is expected to depart for Cairo, following Hamas’s recent return of the bodies of four Israeli hostages, marking the conclusion of the first phase of a six-week deal established in January.
The initial phase of the ceasefire is scheduled to conclude on March 2. Negotiations regarding the implementation of the second phase, aimed at achieving a permanent cessation of hostilities, have faced numerous delays and setbacks amid ongoing accusations from both sides regarding violations of the fragile truce.
Over the course of the conflict, over 48,000 individuals in Gaza have lost their lives, leading to a dire humanitarian situation, with extensive destruction across the region. Despite the toll on both sides, public sentiment in Israel largely favors prolonging the ceasefire to secure the release of 59 remaining hostages, many of whom are presumed deceased.
However, Netanyahu is hesitant to commit fully to the secondary phase due to pressures from his right-wing coalition, which insists that their primary goal is “total victory” over Hamas. Coalition dynamics play a crucial role, with threats of government collapse if military operations do not resume.
In a recent statement, Hamas expressed willingness to initiate discussions for the second phase and emphasized that the release of remaining hostages hinges on maintaining the ceasefire. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar confirmed that the delegation would assess the potential for extending the current agreement in exchange for more hostages.
Reports indicate that Israel will not withdraw its forces from the Gaza-Egypt border zone, contradicting the ceasefire’s terms and posing a threat to the truce’s viability. There are significant differences between the parties concerning future governance in Gaza, with Hamas declaring a willingness to relinquish control yet refusing exile.
Moreover, on the same day, a car-ramming incident in northern Israel resulted in injuries to 14 individuals, further complicating the already tense circumstances. An extensive military operation in the West Bank continues, correlated with the fragile state of the ceasefire in Gaza.
The ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas have entered a critical phase as the expiration of the existing agreement approaches. The situation remains precarious, with both sides experiencing internal pressures affecting diplomatic outcomes. The future governance of Gaza continues to prompt contention, highlighting the complexities involved in achieving lasting peace between the conflicting parties.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
