As the initial 42-day phase of the Gaza ceasefire concludes, Israel has accepted a proposal from a U.S. envoy to suspend fighting during Ramadan and the Jewish Passover. However, tensions remain high as Hamas rejects what it sees as an unfair arrangement.
Under the agreement, Israeli prisoners are expected to be released, but Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem has criticized the proposal, emphasizing that any releases should happen only through a formal exchange.
Qassem noted that discussions on the second phase of the ceasefire should have begun earlier, but Israel appears to be maneuvering for the release of its prisoners without fully committing to ending hostilities. Reports indicate that despite the truce, Israeli forces have continued targeting Palestinian civilians, their homes, and families, raising concerns over ceasefire violations.
Meanwhile, families of Israeli prisoners are pressuring Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speed up the next phase of the exchange. In a bid to increase pressure, Hamas’s military wing has released a new video of Israeli captives urging Netanyahu to proceed with the ceasefire’s second and third phases.
Israeli media reports suggest Netanyahu faces internal challenges regarding the agreement. While he has not openly pushed for a full resumption of war, his government’s failure to uphold the ceasefire terms has fueled frustration and heightened tensions.
