Gaza’s fragile calm teeters as Israel balks at full pullout
Israel and Hamas face a Saturday deadline to implement the next phase of the ceasefire, which includes the full withdrawal of Israeli troops and the release of the remaining hostages.
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WASHINGTON — The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is set to expire on Saturday unless negotiators secure an agreement to extend it.
After turning over the remains of four hostages killed on or after Oct. 7, Hamas said early Thursday it was ready to resume negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which calls for a complete Israeli military withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the release of the remaining hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu’s office announced that Israeli negotiators will travel to Cairo Thursday for talks on the ceasefire and hostage deal. The US envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, is also expected in the region in the coming days.
