Egypt Daily News – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intensified his security and political consultations last night with senior government officials amid stalled negotiations in Cairo over extending the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages.
These phone consultations included heads of security agencies and key ministers, such as Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.
Shas Party leader Aryeh Deri also took part in the discussions, where the possibility of resuming military operations in Gaza after the first phase of the agreement was reviewed.
Israel has been attempting for days to extend the truce in exchange for the continued release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, but these efforts have yet to yield tangible results.
The Israeli Defense Minister confirmed that Israel would not begin withdrawing from the Philadelphi Corridor, the buffer zone between Gaza and Egypt, as previously scheduled today, reflecting ongoing tensions over the implementation of the agreement and fuelling distrust among the Egyptians.
On the other hand, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem announced that the movement rejects extending the first phase of the agreement under the terms proposed by Israel, coinciding with the scheduled end of the initial ceasefire phase.
In a televised statement reported by Reuters, Qassem added that Hamas is not currently engaged in any negotiations regarding the second phase, holding Israel responsible for the failure to initiate those talks.
