Fragile truce in Gaza faces a key deadline. Will it last?

The first phase of a truce that pauses 15 months of brutal warfare Between Israel and Hamas Militants were set up to end on Saturday – and is unclear what follows.

The two sides should begin negotiate Second phase Before a week, Hamas would let all remaining hostages from his 7th. October, attack, attack, in exchange for more Palestin prisoners, a permanent withdrawal withdraws from the belt from Israeli.

But these negotiations did not start – there were only preparatory conversations – and the first phase was abolished one slow afterward second.

Hamas released everything 25 living hostages Included in the first six-day phase that ends 1. March in exchange for hundreds of Palestin prisoners. He also published the bodies of four prisoners and is expected to turn into four more, although it is unclear whether it will happen on Thursday as planned.

It leaves more than 60 prisoners, believed to be dead. In the meantime, Israel postponed the release of about 600 Palestinic prisoners who were supposed to be released last weekend over the treatment of prisoners, which were paraded before the crowd.

Israel reportedly requests the prolongation of the first phase to ensure the freedom of more prisoners. But Hamas says he will not negotiate until the prisoners whose relief is delayed.

Failing Negotiations 2 will be even more controversial.

The second phase was always the hardest because it would probably forced Israel to choose between their two main warparts – a safe return of the hostage and destroying their kidnappers.

Hamas, though weakened, remains in power Without internal challengers. In exchange for the remaining living hostages – its main negotiating chip – requires permanent recircciliaric fire and the entire withdrawal of Israeli forces. The third phase would see the exchange of residues and beginning The process of frightening reconstruction of gauzeexpected to last for years and amounts to billions of dollars.

Steve Witkoff, Miseast Envoy Trump’s administration returns to the region this week. In an interview with the CNN “State” on Sunday, he said he would target the phase 1 to buy time to negotiate the second phase.

But Egypt, who served as a key mediator, refused to discuss the extension of phase 1 to the initial negotiations on phase 2, according to two Egyptian officials who were not authorized for short journalists and talked about the state of anonymity.

One official acquainted with the negotiations said that the mere launch of talks on phase 2 will keep a truce intact, according to the language of the contract. This would mean the continuation of stopping in the fight and help in Gaza, although there would be no further hostage editions beyond what has already negotiated, said, saying the state of anonymity for discussion on closed diplomatic contacts.

Hamas previously said that he was open for a short expansion for complete talks on Phase 2, but that was before he credited to the hearing of the prisoner.

One of Egyptian officials said Egypt also requires Israel fulfilling withdrawal from Corridor PhiladelphiOn the side of Gaza on the border with Egypt, before we move on to the next phase. The agreement calls for this withdrawal to start this weekend and be completed within eight days.

Netanyahu did not publicly say what will do this weekend. Under the great pressure from the hard coalition partner for the continuation of the war against Hamas. But after the images showed the exempt hostages returning home in poor condition, it also faces a great public pressure to bring the remaining hostage to the house.

Witkoff said that Netanyahu was dedicated to bringing all the hostages, but he set up the “red line” that Hamas could not be involved in administrative gauze after the war. Netanyahu also turned off any role in Gaza for West Palestinian power, dominated by Hamas’s main rival, Fatah.

Hamas said he was willing to hand over control of Gauze to other Palestinians.

But a militant group, which does not accept the existence of Israel, would still be deeply rooted in Gaza. And it says won’t lay a weapon Unless Israel finishes the occupation of the Western Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, the land recorded in the Middle War from 1967. which Palestinians want for the future.

Hamas also rejected the suggestion of Israel that his leadership of Gaza enters exile.

The first phase of the switch is yet to be completed and only deepened bitter distrust on both sides.

The Israelis were shocked to see the prisoners – Some of which were taken out of – paraded before shooting, with some forced to smile, Valuja, deliver statements and, in one case kissed masked militant in the head. After returning to Israel, hostages said they were held under sharp conditions.

Last Thursday, Hamas showed the coffins holding what was said that the remains Shiri Bibas and her two small childrenWho said they were killed in the Israeli air center. Israel said that the forensic investigation showed that two children were killed by their abductors. Third body proved to be someone else. Hamas then posted another body that was confirmed to be Mother.

Hamas recorded two hostages on Saturday who were forced to watch the release of others, turning the camera and begging to be released into another public spectacle that was informed by Israel. It seems to have encouraged Israel to postpone the edition of the prisoner.

Hamas accused Israel to violate the ceasefire killing dozens of people who told the soldiers that they approached their forces or entered unauthorized surfaces. He also accused Israel to pull the legs on the entry of mobile homes and equipment for cleaning the ruins, which entered late last week, and beating and abuse of Palestinian prisoners before releasing.

Israel also initiated a large military operation in the occupied western bank that dispel about 40,000 PalestiniansAccording to the United Nations. Israel says that he breaks into militants who threaten his citizens, while Palestinians see it as an attempt to further separate the long rule.

U.S. President Donald Trump took a breach of a truce, which Witkoff helped disguise over the gosts after a year of negotiations led by Biden Administration, Egypt and Qatar.

But Trump has since sent mixed signals regarding the agreement.

Earlier this month he set a solid deadline for Hamas to let all the hostages, warning “All hell will break out” That’s not. But he said it was in the end to Israel, and the deadline came and left.

Trump chased further confusion by proposing that the population gauges of about two million Palestinians to be moved to other countries And for the United States to take over the territory and develop it. Netanyahu welcomed the idea, who universally rejected Palestinians and Arab countries, including close allies. Human Rights Groups said that it could violate international law.

Trump stood a plan in a fox interview with a fox during the weekend, but he said “doesn’t force.”

___

Follow the AP war coverage to https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war