Israel Agrees to US Proposal for Gaza Ceasefire Extension; Hamas Response Pending

Israel has agreed to a US plan to extend the Gaza ceasefire, pending Hamas’s response. The proposal includes the release of half of the captives, with further negotiations set to follow. Israel appears to be prolonging the conflict phase while maintaining readiness for renewed combat. Hamas has yet to respond but has reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire and a potential resolution of the situation.

Israel has agreed to a United States proposal to extend the ceasefire in Gaza, pending a response from Hamas. The plan includes the release of half of all captives in Gaza, with the remaining individuals to be freed if a lasting truce is established. While many in Gaza anticipated progress towards negotiations for a subsequent phase of the conflict, Israel appears to be prolonging the current phase instead of initiating discussions for phase two, creating uncertainty about the war’s resolution.

There is speculation regarding Hamas’s potential acceptance of the US proposal. Hamas maintains its commitment to the ceasefire and has indicated readiness for a significant swap to conclude the conflict. However, they have yet to respond to statements from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office and the proposed conditions by the United States. The response from Hamas is expected to be revealed in the morning.

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office confirmed the extension plan, which was put forth by President Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff. This agreement stipulates that the ceasefire will extend throughout March, coinciding with Ramadan, and will continue through Jewish Passover, concluding on April 20. Under this agreement, half of the 59 captives currently held in Gaza would be released on the first day of the ceasefire.

Despite this progress, Israel has indicated its willingness to resume hostilities at any moment. The United States has, however, stated that additional time is necessary to finalize negotiations for the second phase, which includes the release of the remaining captives contingent upon a permanent resolution to the conflict. There are currently no comments from Hamas regarding these developments.

Follow our ongoing coverage for the most recent updates on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank.

In summary, Israel has tentatively accepted a US proposal to extend the Gaza ceasefire, contingent upon Hamas’s agreement, which has yet to be provided. The plan includes the release of half of the captives held in Gaza while leaving open the possibility for further negotiations to end the war. However, uncertainty remains, as Israel is prepared to resume fighting at any moment if necessary. As developments unfold, the situation continues to demand close monitoring.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com