Media: Israel, Hamas at odds over ceasefire agreement’s next phase in Cairo talks

As crucial negotiations are set to continue in Cairo on February 28, tensions are rising between Israel and Hamas over the next steps in their ceasefire deal. 

Israel is pushing to extend the first phase of the agreement, which includes the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, as well as the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza, Caliber.Az reports referring to Israeli media.

However, Hamas is demanding that the process move swiftly into the second phase, which, according to the initial agreement, would involve the withdrawal of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) from Gaza.

The standoff reflects deepening divisions as both sides prepare for critical talks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dispatched a negotiating team to Egypt to continue discussions, with a focus on securing the release of hostages in exchange for prisoners. Meanwhile, Hamas remains firm in its stance that the next phase must begin, which includes the IDF’s exit from Gaza—a key demand in the broader ceasefire negotiations.

These developments come after days of intensive diplomacy, with Israeli, Qatari, and US officials working alongside Egypt to broker a resolution. The fragile truce, which was set to expire on March 1, has sparked a renewed urgency to find common ground. Critical issues on the table include not only the return of the remaining hostages but also the future of Israeli military operations in Gaza, which are central to Netanyahu’s broader war goals of dismantling Hamas.

Adding complexity to the negotiations, Israel has expressed reluctance to withdraw from a strategic corridor in Gaza — an issue Hamas has made a condition for agreeing to a ceasefire. The last planned swap under the current deal, involving the exchange of hostages and prisoners, was completed overnight with Hamas handing over the remains of four hostages in exchange for more than 600 Palestinian prisoners.

As the talks unfold, US President Donald Trump’s Mideast envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to arrive in the region in the coming days, adding another layer of international attention to the ongoing efforts to resolve the crisis and end the war.

By Tamilla Hasanova