Gaza: future of ceasefire in the balance

Written by David Fletcher 13 Feb 2025
Gaza: future of ceasefire in the balance

The Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, in effect since 19 January, is at risk of collapsing. Efforts by Egypt and Qatar to mediate continue, as a senior Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo to salvage the truce. Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that if hostages are not released by Saturday, intense military operations will resume. The situation has been further complicated by Donald Trump's recent proposal to remove Gaza’s Palestinian residents, which has emboldened Israel’s far-right leaders. Some Israeli ministers are now demanding a total military takeover of Gaza. Meanwhile, Israeli security officials argue that breaking the ceasefire would endanger hostages still held in Gaza. Families of captives and displaced Gazans fear renewed conflict. Breaking news: Hamas has said it will release three hostages on 15 February as agreed, although earlier it had threatened to cancel the ceasefire, claiming that Israel had failed to fulfil key commitments.

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