Almost a week after the first phase Israel and Hamas’s break of fire has expiredBoth Palestinians and Israelis are in the recess, uncertain how long the truce will.
Trump’s administration, Arab world, Israel, Hamas and others are now overcome in the future The strips of gauze in a complex sequence of negotiations – some of which take place different channels, adding the confusion.
Here’s a look at the state of interviewing the interruption of fire and who is on.
Israel and Hamas are negotiating through the mediator.
In mid -January, after 15 months of devastating war, Israel and Hamas agreed to a truce that would release hostages held in Gaza from attack on South Israel in October 2023. In exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
But the agreement did not end the war. Instead, two sides are dedicated Complex, multi -phase plan meant to build a momentum toward a comprehensive dedication fire. They were supposed to negotiate concepts for complete truce during the first phase, which lasted six weeks.
Last weekend, six weeks came with a little obvious success towards that goal, despite the efforts of Qatar and Egypt, who broke out in conversations. (Israel and Hamas do not negotiate directly.)
Then Israel mostly closed the bumps to Gaza’s belt, stopping assistance in entering Palestine who are still struggling to recover from a year of starvation and destruction. Catarrh condemned the move As a violation of the fire interruption agreement, which stipulates that 600 trucks carrying food, fuel and other goods must enter Gaza daily.
Trump’s administration sent mixed signals on the following steps. Officials said they hoped to achieve another, comprehensive phase of interrupting fire.
Now and Israel talk about a different path.
For Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, agreeing to a break that the fighting was an easy part. Far more hesitated to declare the end of Israel’s war against Hamas, while the group remains tightly rooted in gauze.
As the first phase of the ceasefire expired, Mr. Netanyahu said Israel accepted a new proposal set by Steve Witkoff, an envoy of President Trump in the Middle East. This plan is significantly spoiled by the companies signed in mid -January.
According to the new proposal, Israel would immediately get half of the remaining hostages in exchange for another 50 days from “temporary tribute”. During this time, Israel and Hamas would continue to talk about the constant end of the war.
The remaining hostages would be released “if we reach an agreement on a permanent interruption,” said Mr. Netanyahu.
Mr. Witkoff’s proposal would effectively allow Israel to return more hostages without giving Hamas any of his basic requirements. The Palestinian armed group called Israel and the United States to execute the January agreement that it was written, and it seems that the agreement excluded as a non-stain.
But at the same time, Mr. Trump issued proposals that they had pulled the regionincluding permanent displacement of Palestinian Gaza residents and taking over the US-led territory. He also issued an ultimatums Hamas Return all hostage immediatelya request contrary to the graded editions prescribed by an agreement on the termination of fire.
On Wednesday Mr. Trump betrayed “Last warning“Hamas on social networks, urging an armed group to immediately return the remaining hostages” or it’s over for you. “
“I send Israel everything it takes to finish the job, no Hamas member will be sure if you don’t do it as I say it,” Mr. Trump wrote.
Hamas said that Mr. Trump’s threats encourage Israel to avoid negotiating the termination of the war. “The language of threats does not intimidate us; It just complicates things further, “Abu Zuhri, Hamas Officer, in a statement Posted on a telegram channel associated with Hamas.
On Thursday, telling reporters at the White House, Mr. Witkoff said that President Trump intends to provide the release of Edan Alexander, an American hostage who served in the Israeli army when he was captured. Mr. Alexander is believed to be the last life of the American hostage in Gaza.
“Edan Alexander is very important to us. He was injured and he was a major priority,” Mr. Witkoff said, adding that the president wants Hamas to let Mr. Alexander show that he is serious about the negotiations.
Trump’s administration also talks to Hamas.
Mr. Trump’s administration has been held over the past week Intense and secret direct meetings With the Hamas, which aimed to ensure the release of American citizens seized during October 2023 attack.
The meetings skipped seemingly conversations about the cessation of fire between Israel and Hamas. They also broke with a long -standing American approach to Hamas, who sought to isolate the Palestinian armed group through “without contact” policy.
Critics have long claimed that it has not been engaged with Hamas over the years to give several tangible results. In practice, the United States ended with a group anyway, usually through mediator such as Qatar and Egypt.
Adam Boehler, Mr. Trump’s candidate to be a special envoy to hostage jobs, Met Hamas’s officers In Doha, Katar, this week, is introduced to the conversations this week.
Negotiations focused on the release of Mr. Alexander and ensuring the release of the body of four American and Israeli dual citizens who were abducted and taken to Gaza in October 2023, officials said the New York Times.
One of them is Itay Chen, 19, an American-Israeli soldier. Israeli army said last year that it was assumed to be killed During the attack under the guidance of Hamas, although his family has expressed hope that he could still be alive.
“If the Israeli government is unable to release Itay,” said Ruby Chen, his father, after news of direct conversations with Hamas, broke: “Then it is reasonable to try to do so.”
Adam Rasgon,, Ronen Bergman and Ephrat Livni contribute to reporting.
