A Fragile Ceasefire at Risk
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Hamas on Monday of severe consequences if it failed to release hostages held in Gaza. His statement followed a deadlock in negotiations over the extension of a fragile ceasefire. The Palestinian group accused Israel of undermining the truce to avoid progressing toward a permanent resolution.
Disputes Over the Truce Extension
The initial ceasefire phase, which began on January 19, ended over the weekend. During this period, both sides exchanged captives, and humanitarian aid flowed into Gaza. While Israel agreed to extend the truce until mid-April, Hamas insisted on moving to a second phase, aiming for a permanent end to hostilities.
Escalating Rhetoric from Israeli Leadership
Addressing the Israeli parliament, Netanyahu warned Hamas of dire consequences if hostages were not freed. “There will be consequences that you cannot imagine,” he stated. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz reinforced this stance, warning that if Hamas failed to act, “the gates of Gaza will be locked, and the gates of hell will open.”
Blockade and Sanctions Intensify
As the ceasefire’s first phase ended, Israel halted all goods and supplies into Gaza. Netanyahu’s office declared that Hamas would face further measures if it refused the truce extension. Israeli media reported that the government was considering displacing residents from northern Gaza and cutting electricity supplies to pressure Hamas.
Hamas Accuses Israel of Sabotage
Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan accused Israel of intentionally derailing the ceasefire. “Israel was interested in the collapse of the agreement and worked hard to achieve that,” he claimed. He described Israel’s push for a mere extension as a strategy to avoid serious negotiations.
International Reactions
Egypt and Qatar, key mediators in the truce, condemned Israel’s blockade, calling it a violation of the agreement. Western allies, including Germany and Britain, also criticized the move. Germany’s foreign ministry declared that restricting humanitarian aid “is not a legitimate means of pressure in negotiations.” Britain insisted that essential supplies “must not be blocked.”
Uncertain Future for Gaza
Arab leaders are set to meet in Cairo to discuss Gaza’s reconstruction. They seek an alternative to a U.S.-backed proposal that involves displacing Palestinian residents, a plan widely condemned by the international community. Meanwhile, tensions rise as both Israel and Hamas accuse each other of violating the ceasefire.
As negotiations stall, the risk of renewed violence looms large. With each side blaming the other, prospects for a lasting peace remain uncertain.
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