Israel-Hamas truce: Phase 1 ends, negotiations for permanent ceasefire inconclusive
What's the story
The first phase of the Israel-Hamas truce ends on Saturday, with no clear resolution for a permanent ceasefire.
The temporary peace agreement began on January 19, after a brutal 15-month war sparked by Hamas's attack on Israel in October 2023.
During the relative calm, Gaza militants released 25 hostages and returned eight bodies to Israel. In exchange, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners were freed from Israeli detention centers.
Phase 2
Second phase of truce under negotiation
The second phase of the truce, mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, is set to begin on Sunday. This next stage seeks to secure the release of more hostages still held in Gaza.
On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a meeting with security officials after sending a delegation to Egypt to discuss this upcoming phase.
Negotiations
Intensive talks in Cairo, no consensus reached yet
Egypt's State Information Service said Israeli, Qatari, and US delegations in Cairo held intensive discussions on the next stages of the truce.
However, as of early Saturday, no agreement had been reached and there was no sign of a Hamas delegation in Cairo.
Max Rodenbeck from the International Crisis Group suggested while phase two might not start immediately, he believed "the ceasefire probably won't collapse also."
Extension preference
Israeli defense minister prefers extension of 1st phase
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz preferred extending the first phase to free more hostages instead of moving to a second phase.
However, Hamas has pushed for starting phase two after suffering heavy losses during the war.
The group reiterated its commitment to implementing all agreement provisions and called for global pressure on Israel to proceed without delay.
UN stance
UN Secretary-General emphasizes need for ceasefire to hold
As the first phase comes to an end, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed that "the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage deal 'must hold.'"
The truce has permitted more aid into Gaza, where over 69% of buildings were damaged or destroyed and widespread hunger prevailed due to displacement.
Recently, Israel agreed to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for four Israeli hostages' bodies under Egyptian supervision.
Talks progress
US confirms progress in talks for 2nd ceasefire phase
US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed progress in talks for a second ceasefire phase.
He noted that negotiations would resume either in Doha or Cairo.
However, Hamas accused Israel of jeopardizing the truce by delaying the release of 600 Palestinian prisoners.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu described hostage releases as "humiliating ceremonies."
Since January 19, Hamas has released 25 Israeli hostages publicly across Gaza while Israel freed over 1,100 Palestinian prisoners.