Fri Feb 28 08:36:11 UTC 2025: ## Israel Uncertain About Gaza Ceasefire Deal as Second Phase Talks Begin

**Cairo, Egypt –** Intense negotiations are underway in Cairo to secure a second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza, following the first phase’s expiration on Saturday. While the first phase saw the exchange of prisoners and remains, significant hurdles remain.

Israeli officials, along with Qatari and US mediators, are engaged in “intensive discussions,” according to Egypt’s state information service. The talks aim to achieve a complete end to the hostilities, including the return of all remaining Israeli captives held in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory.

However, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar expressed uncertainty about the prospects of a deal, stating that it remains unclear if there is “common ground to negotiate.” While Israel claims 24 of its 59 captives remain alive in Gaza, Sa’ar indicated a willingness to extend the current framework in exchange for further prisoner releases.

This cautious optimism contrasts sharply with concerns expressed by analysts like Mohamad Elmasry of the Doha Institute, who believes Israel intends to resume hostilities. Elmasry points to Israel’s actions, including the delayed release of Palestinian prisoners and the refusal to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor as planned, as evidence of this intent.

Further complicating the situation, Hamas official Basem Naim accused Israel of planning to escalate the conflict despite Hamas’s commitment to the ceasefire agreement. Naim highlighted Hamas’s fulfillment of its obligations, including the handover of the remains of four Israeli captives.

The current ceasefire, initiated on January 19, followed a devastating 15-month war triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel. The conflict has resulted in a staggering death toll, with over 48,000 Palestinians killed and most of Gaza’s population displaced, according to Palestinian health officials. The initial Israeli attack, meanwhile, resulted in approximately 1,100 Israeli deaths and the capture of more than 200 individuals. The outcome of these crucial negotiations remains uncertain, with the potential for further escalation hanging in the balance.

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