The Gaza cease-fire deal, which has been under strain, is set to expire on Saturday with no clear indication if Israel and Hamas will continue negotiations for a second phase to release the remaining hostages. The six-week truce saw the release of 33 Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals by Hamas, with hopes of paving the way for lasting peace in Gaza after months of conflict.
However, both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating the terms of the deal since January, leading to a stalemate in negotiations for the next phase. The fate of 28 Israeli hostages, including New Jersey native Edan Alexander, remains uncertain.
The second phase aims to address the governance of post-war Gaza, with Israel opposed to Hamas returning to power but without supporting an alternative candidate. International mediators, including the US, are working to salvage the cease-fire deal or at least secure an extension of the current phase.
The possibility of a return to full-scale conflict looms if negotiations do not progress before the deadline. The terms of the current agreement require both sides to maintain a ceasefire while discussions are ongoing. However, past cease-fire agreements have failed to prevent an immediate return to hostilities.
The original agreement called for the release of all living hostages in exchange for Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza. Hamas has indicated willingness to release the hostages in one batch, consisting of male IDF soldiers. The issue of governance in Gaza remains a sticking point, with Hamas unwilling to step down and Israel unwilling to allow their continued rule.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that Israel will resume hostilities if Hamas does not disarm and relinquish control. Both sides have mobilized their forces in preparation for a potential conflict, although Hamas has refrained from explicitly calling for war.
President Trump has urged Hamas to release all hostages, warning of dire consequences if they do not comply. US Special envoy Steve Witkoff is working to secure an extension of the current phase to facilitate negotiations for further hostage releases.
Hamas kidnapped 251 individuals in a 2023 attack, with additional hostages taken in separate incidents. While some hostages have been freed or rescued, others remain in captivity, along with the bodies of those killed.
The main obstacle to reaching a truce lies in the terms of Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and the future governance of the enclave. Israel has rejected backing the Palestinian Authority as the governing body, leading to challenges in finding a suitable alternative. Efforts to involve Egypt in governance have been met with resistance, further complicating the negotiation process.
