Israel announces approval of US plan to extend ceasefire with Hamas
Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel (photo: Getty Images)
Israel has approved a plan proposed by US President-elect Donald Trump's Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff, to extend the ceasefire with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Jerusalem has warned of the potential resumption of hostilities should the Palestinian group refuse to comply, according to The Times of Israel.
According to Israeli media, the country's authorities approved, just minutes after the first 42-day phase of the ceasefire in Gaza ended, what Jerusalem has referred to as the US proposal to extend the truce with Hamas during Ramadan and Passover, with the potential for the release of all hostages.
Ramadan began on Friday evening and will last until March 29, while Passover ends on April 19.
In the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it was stated that half of the hostages - both living and deceased - would be released on the first day of the extended ceasefire.
It is also noted that the remaining hostages will be released at the end of the period, provided a permanent ceasefire is achieved. Netanyahu's office added that this plan was proposed by Vitkoff.
In Israel, it was further stated that Hamas has yet to accept the US plan.
"If Hamas changes its position, Israel will immediately enter negotiations on all the details of the Witkoff plan," Netanyahu's office said.
The statement does not directly threaten the resumption of hostilities but serves as a reminder to the public and Hamas that the initial agreement allows Israel to resume military action after March 1 if the negotiations are deemed ineffective.
Israel-Hamas ceasefire and the issue of its extension
The Israeli government claims that Hamas has repeatedly violated the agreement, while Israel has fully adhered to it. Meanwhile, the agreement stipulates that negotiations for the second phase of the deal will begin "no later than 16 days."
Israel did not engage in indirect negotiations with Hamas regarding the second phase of the agreement until the 42nd day. Additionally, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did not begin withdrawing its forces from the Philadelphi Route along the Gaza-Egypt border on Saturday, despite the agreement requiring Israel to start this process on the 42nd day.
Earlier reports indicated that, as the ceasefire term with Hamas was coming to an end, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security cabinet meeting.
On February 26, U.S. media reported that Hamas is strengthening its positions in anticipation of a potential resumption of fighting with Israel.
