Mar 01, Kathmandu- The first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire ends today. But signs of a second phase that could secure a permanent ceasefire remain uncertain.

The ceasefire came into effect on January 19, after more than 15 months of war that began with a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. During the first six weeks, Gaza militants freed 25 live hostages and returned the bodies of eight others to Israel in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. In exchange, 1,900 prisoners held by Israeli forces have been released. The second phase of the ceasefire is expected to secure the release of dozens of hostages in Gaza and pave the way for a more permanent end to the war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sent a delegation to Cairo and said the second round of “intensive talks” had begun, with mediator Egypt and Israel, as well as delegations from co-mediators Qatar and the United States, in the presence of the group. Hamas sources accused Israel of delaying the second round of talks, saying there was no sign of an agreement as of this morning. A Palestinian source involved in the talks told AFP that despite the absence of the Hamas delegation in Cairo, discussions were underway to resolve the impasse.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel’s priority was to free more hostages as part of an extension of the first round rather than a second round. Of the 251 hostages captured during the Hamas offensive, 58 are still in Gaza. The Israeli military confirmed that 34 of the total hostages had died. Hamas has handed over the bodies of eight of the dead hostages to Israel.