Hamas says first phase of Gaza ceasefire will not be extended

Hamas has stated that it does not intend to extend the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which is scheduled to expire on Saturday. This statement has raised concerns about the future situation and cast a shadow over the already fragile prospects for peace. The international community is closely monitoring the developments, urging all parties to exercise restraint.

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said in an interview with Al Araby television that there are currently no negotiations on launching the second phase of the ceasefire. According to the original plan, the second phase should have guaranteed a complete end to the war, the withdrawal of Israel from Gaza, and the release of the remaining detainees. The implementation of these terms is crucial for achieving a lasting resolution to the conflict.

Israeli officials held "intensive discussions" with mediators from Qatar and the United States in Cairo on Thursday, but these talks have not yet yielded results. Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday that the Gaza ceasefire "must be sustained." He emphasized that the coming days are critical and that all parties must spare no effort to avoid a breakdown of the agreement. A failure to maintain the ceasefire could have devastating consequences for the region.

Hamas has stated that it refuses to discuss any other matters except for the implementation of the second phase of the agreement. A senior Hamas official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity on Saturday, said, "The second phase of the agreement should start tomorrow, which is Sunday." Hamas accuses Israel of trying to "stall for time and violate the agreement." These accusations highlight the deep distrust between the two sides.

Israel wants Hamas to release the hostages as a condition for extending the first phase, rather than moving into the second phase. At the same time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has repeatedly stated that Israel reserves the right to resume fighting at any time to eliminate Hamas if Hamas does not give up its weapons. Israeli media reported that Israel does not plan to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor in Gaza on Saturday, which violates the ceasefire agreement. This stance further complicates the prospects for a lasting ceasefire.

According to Israeli media reports, an anonymous source said: "We will not withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor. We will not allow Hamas murderers to roam our border again with trucks and rifles, and we will not allow them to rearm through smuggling." Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that the Philadelphi Corridor will remain a buffer zone, like the buffer zones Israel has established in Lebanon and Syria. Hamas condemned Gallant's statement, saying that Israel's refusal to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor violates the terms of the agreement. The control of this corridor remains a key point of contention.

The ceasefire agreement ends just one day after the start of Ramadan in Gaza, leaving local residents to spend this Islamic holy month in an uncertain future. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed at least 48,319 people, most of whom are civilians. Approximately 2.4 million residents of the besieged territory have been completely displaced and are living in catastrophic conditions. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen.

In the first phase of the ceasefire, more than 1700 Palestinian prisoners were released in exchange for 25 living Israeli hostages and 8 deceased individuals. It is estimated that 10,000 Palestinian prisoners remain in Israeli custody, while 59 Israelis are being held in Gaza. The third phase should be devoted to the reconstruction of the Palestinian territories, a project that the United Nations estimates will require more than $53 billion. The scale of the reconstruction efforts underscores the extent of the damage.

On Saturday, Al Jazeera Arabic reported that 33 patients in need of medical assistance had left Gaza for Egypt through the Rafah crossing. These patients were accompanied by 55 relatives. Most of the patients suffer from chronic diseases, including cancer, and have been unable to receive treatment since the start of the Israeli war. As part of the ceasefire agreement, approximately 400 Palestinians will be allowed to leave Gaza for medical treatment. This medical evacuation provides a glimmer of hope amidst the ongoing crisis.

The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday that an international conference on the situation of civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory will be held on March 7 at the request of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). A spokesperson told AFP in an email: "We can inform you that the Conference of High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention will be held on March 7, 2025 in Geneva." "Switzerland has invited the 196 States party to the Geneva Conventions to the conference." Participants are the Permanent Representatives of the Parties resident in Geneva. The UN General Assembly authorized Switzerland on September 18 to organize the conference to discuss "the protection of civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem." This conference aims to address the ongoing humanitarian and human rights concerns in the region.