Hamas has fiercely rejected Israel's proposal to extend the first phase of their Gaza ceasefire deal, calling it \"unacceptable\" and accusing Tel Aviv of trying to \"reset negotiations to zero.\" The group’s spokesperson Hazem Qassem stated on Saturday that Israel’s push for a 42-day extension aims to recover hostages while leaving room to resume attacks on Gaza—a move he claims violates agreed terms.
Behind the Stalemate
According to Qassem, no talks have occurred about the deal’s second phase, which would require Israel to fully withdraw from Gaza and commit to ending the war. The initial 42-day truce phase expired Saturday with no progress, leaving mediators scrambling. An Egyptian security source earlier told Xinhua that Israel’s delegation pitched the extension during talks in Cairo, but Hamas remains skeptical of Tel Aviv’s intentions.
What’s Next?
The collapse raises fears of renewed violence, with both sides locked in a high-stakes blame game. For now, global diplomats urge restraint, but with trust in short supply, Gaza’s fragile peace hangs by a thread. 🌍✌️
