“No Extension for the First, No Negotiations for the Second”… Gaza Truce “Stuck” Between Two Phases

2nd March 2025

2 minutes read

"No Extension for the First, No Negotiations for the Second"… Gaza Truce "Stuck" Between Two Phases

The Gaza truce is approaching a crossroads, as the first phase nears its end without an agreement for an extension, while the second phase remains uncertain due to stalled negotiations.

While Israel insists on maintaining the truce to secure the release of more hostages, Hamas rejects this, accusing Tel Aviv of failing to uphold the terms of the agreement. With no new understanding in place, the truce remains “stuck” between two phases, raising fears of renewed military escalation.

Hamas: “No Extension, No Negotiations”

Hamas stated on Saturday that it rejects Israel’s proposal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza, on the very day the phase was initially set to expire.

In a televised statement carried by Reuters, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said: “There are currently no discussions about a second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza with the movement.”

He accused Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire agreement at different stages and on multiple fronts.

“Therefore, there will be no negotiations regarding the second phase with Hamas, and no contact has been made with the movement regarding second-phase negotiations,” he added, blaming Israel for the situation.

He further pointed out that “Israel is primarily interested in certain aspects of the agreement, mainly recovering the Israeli hostages to ease growing pressure within Israeli society and its security and military institutions.”

In recent weeks, Israel and Hamas have exchanged accusations of violating the existing agreement, which allowed for the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners.

Israeli officials maintain that they will not end the war until Hamas ceases to exert military and political authority in Gaza.

Hamas, on the other hand, has hinted that it may relinquish some civil responsibilities, but its leaders have largely rejected the idea of disarmament—at least publicly.

What Did the Agreement Entail?

The agreement reached allowed for an initial six-week truce, set to end on March 1st.

Both sides had agreed to use this period for a gradual exchange of approximately 1,500 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails for 33 hostages captured by Hamas and other factions during the October 7, 2023, attack.

The six-week period was also meant to serve as a window for negotiating the terms of a permanent truce, which was to begin on March 2nd.

These negotiations were expected to focus on who should govern Gaza after the war, as well as the release of around 60 more hostages still in captivity.

Despite tensions during several prisoner exchanges, the process largely went as planned, leading to the release of 38 Israeli hostages in exchange for over 1,700 Palestinian prisoners, alongside the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

However, negotiations for the second phase have yet to seriously begin, even though they were supposed to conclude by last Sunday, according to the terms of the January agreement.