Israel in talks to extend Gaza ceasefire as deadline nears

Israel is reportedly negotiating to extend the first phase of its ceasefire agreement in Gaza, with the current truce set to expire on March 1. However, officials have warned they are prepared to resume fighting if no progress is made in crucial talks this week.

Informal discussions are ongoing to extend the 42-day ceasefire by securing more hostage releases in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, though Israeli officials have expressed doubts about the feasibility of this approach, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

The formal talks for the second phase of the ceasefire, which would involve a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, have been delayed multiple times. The talks, initially slated to begin weeks ago, have been hindered by ongoing crises in the fragile truce.

Meanwhile, Gaza has seen increasing hardship, with reports of infants dying from hypothermia amid a lack of fuel, electricity, and heating sources. Palestinian medics reported the deaths of six infants in the last two weeks due to freezing temperatures, many of whom were sheltering in overcrowded schools and camps.

Dr. Ahmed al-Farah, head of the pediatric department at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, recounted a tragic case of a two-month-old girl who died of the cold.

Dr. Saeed Salah from Gaza City’s Patient’s Friends hospital confirmed that five infants aged one month or younger had died from the cold in the past two weeks.

The situation has further complicated negotiations. Israel’s decision to postpone the release of Palestinians last weekend, following a Hamas video showing hostages forced to watch the release of others, has escalated tensions.

Israel released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners as Hamas handed over the bodies of four hostages to the Red Cross early on February 27.

Israel said the caskets were delivered with the help of Egyptian mediators through an Israeli crossing and confirmed an identification process has begun.

At around the same time, a Red Cross convoy carrying dozens of released Palestinian prisoners left Israel’s Ofer prison headed for the West Bank town of Beitunia, where crowds of cheering families, friends and supporters were gathered.

A large crowd also gathered in the Gaza city of Khan Younis to greet hundreds of released Palestinian detainees.

Egypt, a key mediator, has insisted that any extension of phase one be accompanied by talks on phase two, while Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the country is ready to resume hostilities if needed. “We are prepared to return to hostilities in Gaza at any moment,” Netanyahu affirmed, underscoring Israel’s commitment to completing the war’s objectives.

By Vafa Guliyeva