Sat Mar 01 14:28:19 UTC 2025: ## Israel-Hamas Truce Stalls as Negotiations Falter

**Gaza City, March 1, 2025** – The first phase of the Israel-Hamas truce, brokered after over 15 months of war, is ending without a clear path to a permanent ceasefire. While the initial six-week period saw the release of 25 Palestinian hostages and the bodies of eight others in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, negotiations on a second phase remain deadlocked.

Hamas rejected Israel’s proposed extension of the first phase, which involved weekly prisoner exchanges. Israel, however, prefers this approach, aiming to free more hostages incrementally. A Palestinian source indicated that Israel suggested extending the first phase in one-week intervals for further swaps, a proposal Hamas rejected. Currently, 58 hostages remain in Gaza, with Israel claiming 34 are dead.

Despite the stalemate, the International Crisis Group suggests the ceasefire is unlikely to collapse immediately. However, the lack of consensus raises concerns. UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged both parties to avoid a breakdown, highlighting the critical nature of the coming days.

The truce, which began on January 19, 2025, followed a devastating war sparked by Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The conflict resulted in the deaths of 1,218 Israelis (mostly civilians) and 48,388 Palestinians in Gaza (mostly civilians), according to official figures. The war caused widespread destruction in Gaza, with over 69% of buildings damaged or destroyed and the near-total displacement of its population. The truce has allowed increased aid flow into the war-torn territory, where Ramadan began Saturday amidst widespread devastation.

Even amidst the truce, sporadic violence continues. Israel reported targeting suspects near Gaza on Friday, resulting in at least one fatality. Meanwhile, Israel’s ongoing military operation in the West Bank, launched shortly after the Gaza ceasefire, has resulted in the deaths of at least 55 Palestinians and three Israeli soldiers, displacing over 40,000 Palestinians. The US recently approved a $3 billion arms sale to Israel, further fueling tensions. The situation remains precarious, with the future of the ceasefire hanging in the balance.

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